^ 


sec  111,-071 


First  annual  report  of  the 
American  Bible  Union 


AMERICAN   BIBLE   UNION. 

FIRST 

OF    THE 

AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION, 

PRESENTED   OCTOBER  3,  1850, 


IN    THE    MEETING    HOUSE    OF    THE    TABERNACLE    BAPTIST    CHURCH, 
MULBERRY  STREET,4ftI»«l»lW*K,  .CITY, 

~    WITH     THE  \, 

CONSTITUTION,  MINUTES 'oF  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING, 


CORRESPONDENCE,   ETC. 


TOGETHEK    WITH    A    LIST    OF 


BOOKS,   LIFE   DIRECTORS   AND   MEMBERS. 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION, 

BY  HOLMAN  &  GRAY,  90  FULTON  STREET. 

1850. 


1  >.  «r/- 

AMERICAN   BIBLE   UNIOBR.    V*V    '''' 

FIRST  %-.'     ■ 


AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION 

PRESENTED  OCTOBER  3,  1850, 


IN    THE    MEETING   HOUSE    OF   THE    TABERNACLE    BAPTIST   CHURCH, 
MULBERRY  STREET,    NEW  YORK    CITY, 


WITH     THE 


CONSTITUTION,  MINUTES  OF  THE  ANNUAL  MEETING, 
CORRESPONDENCE,  ETC. 


TOGETHER   WITH    A    LIST    OF 


BOOKS,   LIFE   DIRECTORS   AND  MEMBERS. 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION, 

BT    HOLMAN    &    GRAY,    146  WILLIAM  STBEET. 
1850. 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CONSTITUTION 3 

OFFICERS  AND  MANAGERS 6 

FIRST  ANNIVERSARY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION 7 

FIRST  ANNUAL  REPORT 18 

LIFE  DIRECTORS 31 

LIFE  MEMBERS 31 

ANNUAL  SUBSCRIPTIONS 32 

LIFE  DIRECTORSHIPS— TO  BE  CONSTITUTED,  ETC 32 

LIFE;MEMBERSHIPS— TO  BE  CONSTITUTED,  ETC , 32 

LIST  OF  CONTRIBUTIONS 34 

THE  LIBRARY 36 

BIBLICAL  LIBRARY  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BIBLE   UNION 37 

MEETING  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS,  ETC 42 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV,  STEPHEN  REMINGTON 1 

ADDRESS  OF  REV.   JAMES   BELCHER 4 

ADDRESS  OF  REV.  GEO.  W.  EATON,   D.D 6 

ADDRESS  OF  ELDER  ALEX.   CAMPBELL 14 

LETTER  FROM  REV.  WU.  NORTON  TO  DR.  CONE 43 

LETTER  FROM  REV.  CHARLES  STOVEL  TO  THE  AM.  BIBLE  UNION 51 

LETTER  FROM  DR.  MACLAY 61 


CONSTITUTION 


Art.  I.  The  Association  under  this  Constitution  shall  bo  called  The 
American  Bible  Union. 

Art.  II.  Its  object  shall  be  to  procure  and  circulate  the  most  faithful 
versions  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  in  all  languages  throughout  the  world. 

Art.  III.  It  shall  be  composed  of  annual  messengers,  life  members,  and 
life  du-ectors.  Annual  messengers  may  be  sent  by  churches,  or  any  other 
cooperative  bodies,  on  the  payment  of  ten  dollars  into  the  treasury  of  the 
Union  ;  and  they  shaU  have  all  the  privileges  and  powers  of  membership  un- 
der this  Constitution  for  one  year.  Life  members  shall  be  constituted  such 
by  the  payment  of  thirty  dollars,  and  shall  be  entitled  to  speak  and  vote 
in  all  the  meetings  of  the  Union,  subject  only  to  this  Constitution,  and  such 
rules  of  order  as  the  Union  shall  adopt.  I  ^'e  directors  shall  be  constituted 
such  by  the  payment  o*"  one  hundred  dollars,  and  in  addition  to  the 
rights  of  membership,  shall  be  entitled  to  seats  in  the  Board,  with  all  the 
privileges  of  managers  except  that  of  voting.  The  managers  shall  have  the 
power  of  appointing  such  persons  as  may  have  re-.i  lercd  essential  services  to 
the  Union,  either  members  for  life  or  directors  for  life. 

Art.  IV.  The  Union  shall  meet  annually  to  celebrate  its  Anniversary, 
to  hear  the  Reports  of  its  Board  and  Treasurer,  elect  its  officers  and  mana- 
gers for  the  ensuing  year,  and  to  transact  any  other  business  that  may  come 
before  it,  connected  with  its  legitimate  object.  The  annual  meeting  shall  be 
held  in  the  city  of  New  York  on  the  fii'st  Thursday  of  October,  unless  other- 
wise authorized  by  the  Union. 

Art.  V.  A  special  meeting  of  the  Union  may  be  called  at  any  time  by 
the  President,  at  the  request  of  the  Board,  provided  that  a  notice  of  the  same 
shall  be  pubUshed  at  least  six  weeks  previous  to  the  meeting. 

Art.  VI.  The  oflScors  of  the  Union  shall  be  a  President,  two  or  more 
Vice  Presidents,  a  Corresponding  Secrctaiy,  a  Recording  Secretary,  a  Trea- 
surer, and  an  Auditor.  „ 


4  CONSTITUTION. 

Art.  VII.  The  Executive  Board  of  the  Union  shall  consist  of  twenty- 
four  managers  ;  together  with  the  officers  of  the  Union,  (who  shall  be  ex- 
officio  members  of  the  Board,)  excepting  the  Vice  Presidents.  The  mana- 
gers shall  be  divided  into  three  equal  classes,  of  which,  at  the  organization  of 
the  Union,  the  first  shall  be  chosen  for  one  year,  the  second  for  two  years, 
and  the  third  for  three  years  ;  and  at  each  subsequent  election  eight  mana- 
gers shall  be  chosen  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

Art.  VIII.  The  officers  and  managers  shaU  be  chosen  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Union  by  a  majority  of  members  present,  and  shall  continue 
to  discharge  the  duties  assigned  to  them  respectively,  until  superseded  by  a 
new  election  ;  provided  that  the  Board  have  power  to  fill  aU  vacancies,  occa- 
sioned by  the  death  or  resignation  of  officers  or  managers,  when  the  Union 
is  not  in  session. 

Art.  IX.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  in  all  the  meet- 
ings of  the  Union  and  of  the  Board  ;  and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as 
devolve  upon  him  by  the  provisions  of  this  Constitution.  In  case  of  the 
President's  inability,  or  at  his  request,  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  shall  per- 
form the  duties  of  his  office. 

Art.  X.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary  to  conduct 
the  correspondence  of  the  Union,  under  the  direction  of  the  Board ;  keeping 
a  copy  of  uis  official  correspondence  at  all  times  accessible  to  the  managers. 
He  shall  also  prepare  the  Annual  Report,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as 
may  be  connected  with  his  office  by  the  provisions-  of  this  Constitution. 

Art.  XL  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Recording  Secretary  to  keep  a  re- 
cord of  all  the  meetings  of  the  Union,  and  the  doings  of  the  Board,  accessi- 
ble at  all  times  to  the  managers  ;  and  to  furnish  the  Corresponding  Secretary 
with  a  copy  of  such  as  may  be  needed  in  making  out  the  Annual  Report. 
He  shall  perform  any  other  writing  connected  with  his  office  that  may  be 
required  by  the  Board. 

Art.  XII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to  keep  the  moneys  of 
the  Union,  and  disburse  them  only  upon  the  order  of  the  Board,  certified  by 
the  Recording  Secretary.  He  shall  report  at  every  regular  meeting  of  the 
Board  on  the  state  of  the  treasury,  and  present  to  the  Union,  at  its  annual 
meeting,  a  Report  of  all  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  year,  duly  cer- 
tified accorr'ing  to  the  provisions  of  this  Constitution.  His  account  shaU  be 
at  aU  times  open  to  the  inspection  of  the  Auchtor. 

Art.  XIII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Auditor  to  examine  the  Treasur- 
er's account  at  the  close  of  each  financial  year,  and  in  case  he  finds  it  cor- 
rect, to  certify  the  same  to  the  Union,  in  connexion  with  the  Treasurer's 
Annual  Report.  He  shall  also  examine  and  certify  the  same,  at  any  other 
time,  at  the  request  of  the  Board. 


CONSTITUTION.  5 

Art.  XIV.  The  Board  shall  meet  monthly,  or  oftener  if  necessary,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  shaU  be  designated  by  previous  adjournment.  And 
in  case  no  such  designation  is  made  by  the  Board,  the  time  and  place  of 
meeting  shall  be  fixed  by  the  President,  with  the  concurrence  of  five  man- 
agers. A  special  meeting  of  the  Board  may  be  called  by  the  President  at 
the  request  of  six  managers,  provided  ar  written  notice  of  the  same  is  sent  to 
each  manager  at  least  three  days  previous  to  the  meeting.  A  majority  of 
all  shall  be  requisite  to  constitute  a  quorum.  The  minutes  of  each  meeting 
shall  be  signed  by  the  President  and  Recording  Secretary. 

Art.  XV.  The  Board  shall  have  power  to  employ  agents,  translators, 
and  colporteurs  ;  to  fix  the  compensation  of  all  the  salaried  officers  of  the 
Union  ;  and  to  take  such  measures  as  they  shall  deem  necessary  in  making 
known  the  character  and  claims  of  the  Union ;  in  the  collection  of  funds  ;  in 
obtaining  the  most  faithful  versions  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  every  lan- 
guage ;  and  in  distributing  them  throughout  all  lands, — subject  always  to 
the  provisions  of  this  Constitution,  and  to  the  special  instructions  of  the 
Union. 

Art.  XVI.  The  Board  shall  report  through  the  Corresponding  Secre- 
tary, at  the  annual  meeting ;  giving  an  account  of  their  operations  during 
the  year,  and  embracing  such  other  matters  of  interest  as  they  may  think 
proper  and  important  to  lay  before  the  Union. 

Art.  XVn.  The  Board  shall  make  such  provision  and  arrangements  for 
the  Anniversary  as  they  deem  best  calculated  to  promote  the  interest  of  the 
Union  ;  and  cause  the  same  to  be  pubhshed  at  least  one  month  previous  to 
the  meeting. 

Art.  XVIII.  All  moneys  or  other  property  given  for  specified  objects, 
shall  be  appropriated  according  to  the  will  of  the  donors,  provided  such  an 
application  shall  not  be  contrary  to  this  Constitution,  nor  to  the  object  or 
special  instructions  of  the  Union ;  in  which  case  they  shall  be  returned  to 
the  donors,  or  to  their  lawful  agents. 

Art.  XIX.  The  Union  and  the  Board  shall  each  have  power  to  adopt 
such  By-Laws,  or  Rules  of  Order,  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  regulation  of 
their  own  proceedings,  provided  they  do  not  con^ct  with  any  part  or  prin- 
ciple of  this  Constitution. 

Art.  XX.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  by  two-thhds  of  the  mem- 
bers present  at  any  annual  meeting  of  the  Union  ;  provided  only  that  no  al- 
teration shall  be  made  in  the  Second  Article,  which  defines  the  object  of  the 
Union,  without  a  unanimous  vote,  and  one  year's  previous  notice. 


OFFICERS  AND  MANAGERS. 


PRESIDENT. 

REV.  SPENCER  H.  CONE,  D.D. 

VICE-PRESIDENTS. 


Rev.  a.  Maclat,  D.D,,  New  York. 
Rev.  G.  W.  Eaton,  D.D.,  Professor 

in  Madison  University,  N.  Y. 
Rev.  Wm.  0.  Duncan,  Professor  in 

Louisiana  University,  New  Orleans. 
"William  Crane,  Esa.,  Baltimore. 
Rev.  Peter  S.  Gayle,  Memphis. 
Rev.  Wm.  Norton,  London,  Eng. 
Rev.  JohnWinter,   Massillon,Ohio. 
Rev.  E.  Adkins,  Professor  in  Shurt- 

lifF  College,  Upper  Alton,  Illinois. 
Hon.  Isaac  Davis,  Mass. 


Elder  Alex.  Campbell,  President 
of  Bethany  CoUege,  Virginia. 

Hon.  Thos.  Swaim,  N.  J. 

Rev.  a.  Wheelock,  N.  Y. 

Eli  Kelley,  Esa.,  New  York. 

Rev.  Chas.  Stovel,  London,  Eng. 

Thos.  P.  Miller,  Esa.,  Mobile. 

Elder  Jas.  Shannon,  Pres.  of  the 
University  of  the  State  of  Mo. 

Rev.  D!  R.  Campbell,  Prof,  in  Cov- 
ington Theological  Seminary,  Ky. 

Rev.  Thos.  Armitage,  New  York. 


CORRESPONDINa   SECRETARY. 

WILLIAM  H.  WYCKOFF. 

RECORDING-  SECRETARY. 
E.  S.  WHITNEY. 

TREASURER. 

WILLIAM  COLGATE. 

AUDITOR. 
SYLVESTER  PIER. 


One  Tear. 

WM.  S.  CLAPP, 
WM.  HILLMAN, 
ORRIN  B.  JUDD, 
SAM'l.  R.  KELLY, 
ELEAZER  PARMLY, 
JAMES  M.  SHAW, 
THOS.  THOMAS, 
BENJ.  M.  THOMPSON. 


MANAGERS 
Two  Tears. 

H.  J.  EDDY, 
W.  W.  EVERTS, 
WILSON  G.  HUNT, 
WM.  D.  MURPHY, 
PETER  F.  RANDOLPH, 
S.  S.  RELYEA, 
JAS.  H.  TOWNSEND, 
JOHN  B.  WELLS. 


Three  Years. 

GEO.  W.  ABBE, 
JOSEPH  W.  BURDEN, 
JEHIEL  PARMLY, 
STEPHEN  REMINGTONj 
JOHN  W.    SARLES, 
ISAAC  T.  SMITH, 
E.  H.  TRIPP, 
A.  C.  WHEAT. 


FIRST  ANNIVERSARY 


AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION. 


The  American  Bible  Union  held  its  First  Annual  Meet- 
ing at  the  Baptist  Tabernacle,  Mulberry  Street,  New  York, 
Thursday  the  3d  day  of  October,  1850,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 
and  7  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  President  at  3 
o'clock.  The  Services  were  commenced  by  Rev.  W.  W. 
Everts,  of  the  Laight  Street  Baptist  Church,  reading  the 
46th  Psalm.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Z.  Grenell,  of 
Paterson,  N.  J. 

Wm.  Colgate,  Esq.,  Treasurer,  read  the  Treasurer's  Re- 
port, which  he  accompanied  with  the  following  remarks  : 

"  Not  much  can  be  expected  from  the  Treasurer's  account  of  this 
Association,  which  has  hardly  been  four  months  in  existence.  Four 
months  ago,  we  who  have  judged  proper  to  form  this  Union,  on 
the  principle  of  procuring  and  aiding  pure  translations  of  the  Ora- 
cles of  God  in  all  lands,  were  severely  rebuked  ^nd  proscribed  by 
the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society. ,  This  they  called  the 
voice  of  the  denomination,  and  the  religious  press  have  almost  uni- 
versally lent  their  influence  to  establish  this  persuasion.  Seeing, 
then,  that  we  had  to  contend  against  such  odds,  our  receipts  are 
necessarily  much  less  than  what,  under  other  circumstances,  might 
have  been  expected,  when  we  consider  the  principles  on  which 
the  American  Bible  Union  is  founded." 


8  FIRST    ANNIVERSARY   OF 

The  American  Bible  Union  in  account  with  William  Colgate,  Treasurer. 


1850.     To  cash  paid  for  Paper  and  Printing 

Oct.  3.  „         ,,         Furniture  and  Rent  of  Room.. 

,,         „         Salaries  and  travelling  Expenses  of 

Agents 

To  cash  paid  for  Salaries  of  Correspouding  Secre- 
tary and  Assistant 

To  cash  paid  for  Contingent  Expenses  at  the  Room. 
Balance 

Cr. 
By  cash  received  for  Subscriptions 


Oct.  3.    By  Balance  brought  dowrn,  now  in  the  Treasury. . 


383 

80 

83 

12 

397 

51 

550 

00 

119 

98 

4061 

09 

$5595 

50 

$5595  50 
$5595  50 


$4061  09 


New  York,  October  3d,  1850. 

This  is  tocertify,  that  1  have  examined  the  accounts  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  American  Bible 
Union,  for  the  financial  year,  ending  the  3d  ofOctober,  1850,  and  find  tliem  to  be  correct,  show- 
ing the  receipts  during  that  time  to  have  been.  Five  tlionsand  five  hundred  and  ninety-five  dollars 
and  fifty  cents.  And  the  expenditure,  One  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars,  and 
forty-one  cents  ;  and  the  balance  on  hand,  Four  thousand  and  sixty -one  dollars,  and  nine  cents. 

SvLVESTEE  PiEK,  Auditor. 

On  motion  of  James  Edmonds,  Esq.,  of  Jeddo,  Orleans 
Co.,  N.  Y.,  seconded  by  Ezra  P.  Davis,  Esq.,  New  York 
city,  the  Treasurer's  Report  was  accepted  and  ordered  to 
be  printed. 

The  President  then  deHvered  his  Address,  after  which 
Wm.  H.  Wyckoff,  Esq.,  Corresponding  Secretary,  read  an 
abstract  of  the  Annual  Report. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  S.  Remington,  pastor  of  Stanton  Street 
church,  seconded  by  Rev.  Jas.  Belcher,  of  Ellsworth,  Me., 
it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Annual  Report,  an  abstract  of  which  has  now 
been  read,  be  printed  and  circulated  under  the  direction  of  the  Board  of 
Managers. 

Rev.  W.  S.  Clapp,  Rev.  Orrin  B.  Judd,  Rev.  S.  S. 
Relyea,  Sylvester  Pier,  Esq.,  and  Jas.  H.  Townsend, 
Esq.,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  nominate  a  Board  of 
Officers  and  Managers  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  report  them 
at  the  evening  meeting. 

Adjourned,  with  benediction  by  the  President,  until  7 
o'clock. 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  9 

Evening  Session. 
The  Evening  Session  was  called  to  order  by  the  President 
at  7  o'clock. 

Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Wm.  Mc  Carthy,  of  Farmer, 

N.  Y. 

The  Committee  on  Nominations  reported  the  list  of  Officers 
and  Managers  for  the  ensuing  year,  who  were  accordingly 
elected.    (See  page  6.)     It  was  then 

Resolved,  That  the  Board  meet  on  Friday,  the  4th  inst.,  at  4  o'clock,  to 
organize  Committees  for  the  business  of  the  ensuing  year. 

Prof.  Rev.  G.  W.  Eaton,  D.D.,  of  Madison  University, 
offered  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved,  That  the  "Word  of  God  should  be  translated  in  every  language 
among  men,  in  just  such  terms  as  will  most  unmistakeably  convey  the  mind 
of  the  Spirit  as  expressed  in  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek. 

Elder  Alexander  Campbell,  President  of  Bethany 
College,  Va.,  seconded  the  resolution,  which  was  unani- 
mously adopted. 

The  Services  were  then  closed  by  the  congregation  singing 
a  hymn,  and  Benediction  by  the  President. 

E.  S.  Whitney,  Recording  Secretary. 


PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS. 
Brethren,  and  friends  of  faithjkil  immersionist  versions  of  the  Sa- 
cred Scriptures  in  all  languages,  the  English  not  excepted  : 
The  American  Bible  Union  was  organized  in  this  house,  June 
10th,  1850,  and  it  gives  me  peculiar  pleasure  to  w^elcome  you,  in 
the  same  house,  to  the  first  Anniversary  of  our  noble  Institution. 
The  church  under  my  pastoral  care,  as  a  body,  have  cordially  sym- 
pathized yf\t\\  their  Pastor  in  this  Bible  mbvement ;  they  have 
already  paid  into  your  treasury  more  than  three  thousand  dol- 
lars, and  voted  to  grant  the  use  of  their  house  for  this  Anniver- 
sary, without  a  dissenting  voice.  Four  of  the  trustees,  however, 
by  a  contested  voie,* frustrated  the  vote  of  the  church.  But  even 
this  has  been  overruled  for  good,  and  has  increased  the  number  of 

*  Mr.  W.  W.  Todd,  ChairmaD,  claiming  a  double  vote. 


10  FIRST    ANNIVERSARY    OF 

our  friends,     God  will  make  the  wrath  of  man  to  f  raise  him  ;  the 
remainder  of  wrath  he  will  restrain. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  made  a  few  brief  remarks  only,  on 
the  present  occasion ;  but  a  late  number  of  the  Banner  and  Pioneer, 
containing  a  letter  from  brother  Lathrop,  and  the  October  Period- 
ical of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  have  been  handed 
to  me,  and  my  eye  has  fallen  upon  several  sentences  which  cannot 
be  passed  over  in  silence. 

Brother  Lathrop  says  to  brother  Pratt  :  "  The  American  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society  hasnot  departed  in  one  particular  from  its 
orio-inal  ground  ;  it  has  not  altered  its  policy  a  single  iota.  It  is 
to-day  what  it  was  when  Waller  and  other  good  brethren  advocated 
its  claims,  and  is  as  worthy  of  the  confidence  of  Kentucky  (I  speak 
as  a  southern  man)  as  it  ever  was."  As  far  as  this  remark  relates 
to  the  rejection  of  slaveholders  as  Vice-Presidents  hy  the  vote  of 
the  Society,  it  is  correct ;  but  it  is  repeated  in  the  October  period- 
ical paper :  "  The  Society  has  never  departed  from  its  original 
position  and  policy'' — and  is  signed  by  brother  L.  and  six  other 
officers  of  the  Society,  The  assertion  is  here  made  of  universal 
application,  and  is  not,  in  my  judgment  correct.  The  Society  has 
departed  from  its  original  design  ;  else,  why  am  I  here  %  Why 
the  American  Bible  Union  %  Why  so  many  letters  addressed  to  us 
from  different  and  far  distant  parts,  exhorting  us  to  carry  out  the 
original  motto — "  The  Bible  Translated;"  thanking  God  for  the 
formation  of  the  Union,  and  pledging  us  their  hearty  cooperation  ; 
letters  written  not  by  John  Doe  and  Richard  Roe,  as  an  apochry- 
phal  penny-a-liner  had  it,  but  by  good  men  and  true,  ready  to 
answer  to  their  names.  The  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society 
was  organized  to  vindicate  a  principle,  that  the  word  of  God  should 
he  translated  in  all  lands;  that  in  accordance  with  this  principle 
Baptizo  and  its  cognates  should  be  rendered  by  words  signifying 
immerse,  immersion,  &c.,  and  here  we  fought  the  battle  with  the 
Pedobaptists,  and  here  we  have  to  fight  the  battle  over  again  with 
the  Baptists,  who  will  not  allow  immerse,  immersion,  &c.  to  have  a 
place  in  the  New  Testament ! 

"  When  Greek  meets  Greek,  then  comes  the  tug  of  war." 

Either  year  that  "  the  Pedobaptists  will  come  down  upon  us  with 
tremendous  power,"  as  a  distinguished  brother  said  ;  or  shame,  or 
some  other  motive  of  which  I  know  nothing,  deters  many  from  bear- 
ing, IN  English,  the  same  testimony  for  Christ's  despised  ordinance  of 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  11 

imtnersion,  which  they  have  made  it  the  imperative  duty  of  their 
missionaries  to  bear  in  all  the  languages  of  the  heathen.  Strange  in- 
consistency !  That  younger  brethren,  who  took  no  part  in  the 
discussion  of  the  Bible  question,  should  sign  the  October  Periodical, 
is  not  so  wonderful ;  but  that  those  who  uttered  the  following  sen- 
timents should  do  so,  is  what  I  cannot  understand.  At  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Society  in  1836,  thus  writes  the  Corresponding  Secretary  : 

REV.  CHARLES  G.  SOMMERS. 

"Under  the  auspices  of  Divine  Providence,  missionaries  of  our 
denomination  have  translated  the  inspired  volume,  in  whole  or  in 
part,  into  the  languages  spoken  by  more  than  half  of  the  human 
family.  That  their  versions  are  "  most  [faithjul,"  has  not  been 
denied,  and  yet  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  and  the 
American  Bible  Society,  have  refused  to  aid  us  in  giving  them  to 
the  perishing  heathen  ;  merely  because  the  original  word  baptizo, 
and  its  cognates,  have  been  translated.  Could  we  do  otherwise,  as 
faithful  servants  of  Christ  ?  Is  any  translator  at  liberty  to  com- 
promise his  duty  to  God,  and  to  the  millions  of  mankind,  by  with- 
holdinsf  from  them  the  literal  rendering  of  the  Bible,  unobscured 
m  any  of  its  parts  by  human  dictation  1  Although  this  was  done 
by  those  who  acted  under  the  authority  of  King  James,  in  pro- 
ducing our  English  version.  Baptist  missionaries  dare  not  assume 
so  fearful  a  responsibility,  nor  imitate  an  example  fraught  with 
such  disastrous  consequences.  "We  are,  therefore,  thrown  upon 
the  Providence  of  God,  and  our  own  resources,  in  giving  to  all 
mankind,  a  pure  and  unaltered  BiMe." 

At  the  Philadelphia  Bible  Convention  of  1837,  the  following 
eloquent  remarks  fell  from  the  lips  of 

REV.  B.  T.  WELCH. 

"  He  was  opposed  to  that  clause  of  the  resolution,  which  would 
have  the  effect  of  restricting  the  operations  of  the  Society  to  foreign 
translations.  What  right  had  they  to  say,  in  their  Constitution,  that 
they  would  not  enter  on  domestic  operations  ten,  twelve,  or  more 
years  hence  1  How  was  it  possible  to  predict  what  might  be  the 
condition  of  things  at  such  a  remote  period  1 

"  Mr.  W.  next  glanced  at  the  state  of  our'foreign  missions,  and 
spoke  with  rapture  of  the  success  which  had  attended  them.  He 
believed  the  brightest  page  in  the  history  of  the  organization  of 
this  Society,  would  be  that  connected  with  foreign  translations  and 
distribution.  For  his  own  part,  he  contemplated  the  field  as  the 
whole  world. 

"  It  had  been  said,  that  we  were  leaving  the  American  Bible 
Society.  He,  on  the  contrary,  believed  they  were  leaving  us. 
With  regard  to  the  consequences,  which  might  result  from  forming 


12  FIRST    ANNIVERSARY    OF 

a  Society,  he  would  say,  that  whatsoever  of  moral  disaster  might 
arise  out  of  it,  we  were  clear  of  the  sin,  and  we  suffer  for  "  right- 
eousness' sake."  Another  charge  which  has  been  alleged  against 
us,  (said  Mr.  W.)  is  that  of  sectarianism.  If,  to  adhere  to  truth  ; 
if,  to  prefer  allegiance  to  the  throne  of  Jesus  Christ ;  if,  to  regard 
the  integrity  of  his  institutions  and  the  purity  of  his  word,  be  secta- 
rianism, then  let  sectarianism  be  written  on  my  brow  in  indelible 
characters, — then  let  bigotry  be  connected  with  it  in  all  its  odious 
forms.  And  I  would  wear  the  stigma  till  death  should  obliterate  it. 
"  He  trusted  that,  if  they  erected  an  altar  to  peace,  they  would 
not  sacrifice  Truth  on  that  altar,  and  that  they  would  not  be  called 
upon  to  be  the  officiating  priests." 

In  1836  and  1837,  we  have  the  conduct  of  King  James  con- 
demned ;  the  faithful  versions  of  our  Baptist  missionaries  applaud- 
ed ;  the  duty  of  giving  to  all  mankind  a  fure  and  unaltered  Bible 
asserted ;  and  the  declaration  that  our  field  of  labor  is  the  whole 
world,  reiterated.  In  1850  we  have  the  commonly  received  English 
version  applauded  ;  our  wish  and  aim  to  have  errors  corrected  and 
obscurities  removed,  condemned ;  circulation,  and  not  revision, 
correction,  or  translation,  the  sole  business  of  the  Society ;  and  the 
following  resolutions  justified  and  defended  ;  viz. 

Resolved.  That  this  Society,  in  its  issues  and  circulation  of  the  English 
Scriptures,  be  restricted  to  the  commonly  received  version  without  note  or 
comment. 

Whereas.  By  the  Constitution  of  this  Society,  its  object  is  "  to  aid  in  the 
wider  circulation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  all  lands,"  therefore 

Resolved,  That  it  is  not  the  province  and  duty  of  the  American  and  Fo- 
reign Bible  Society  to  attempt  on  their  own  part,  or  to  procure  from  others, 
a  revision  of  the  commonly  received  English  version  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures. 

And  in  all  this,  the  seven  brethren  say,  "  the  Society  has  changed 
neither  principles  nor  policy :"  when  to  me  it  is  clear,  that  prin- 
ciple has  been  changed  for  expediency.  Frinciple  requires  the 
faithful  translation  of  the  Bible  in  all  languages  ;  expediency  ex- 
cepts the  English.  But  it  is  indispensable  to  the  vindication  of  a 
principle,  that  it  should  be  preserved  inviolate.  To  abandon  it  in 
part,  destroys  the  whole  moral  force  of  its  attempted  vindication. 
It  was  no  violation  of  the  principle  to  postpone  the  correction  of 
the  English  version,  until  the  Society  had  acquired  strength  and 
information  and  confidence,  sufficient  to  justify  the  momentous  un- 
dertaking ;  but  to  bind  itself  to  circulate  "  The  English  Bible  as 
it  is,"  with  all  its  acknowledged  imperfections,  without  note  or 
comment,  and  to  declare  it  unconstitutional  either  to  revise  it  or 
frocure  a  revision,  is  assuming  a  position  in  direct  opposition  to  the 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  13 

grand  object  of  its  original  design.  The  advocates  of  this  new 
position  endeavor  to  sustain  themselves  by  appeals  to  motives  of 
expediency,  and  thereby  prove  that  the  Society  has  ceased  to  advo- 
cate the  principle  of  fure  versions  for  the  world.  This  advocacy 
having  ceased,  the  organization  has  lost  its  vital  power ;  appealing 
to  motives  of  expediency,  it  has  no  more  hold  upon  the  conscience. 
"  Not  changed  its  principles"  !  Why,  some  of  the  brethren  who 
signed  that  October  Periodical,  must  know,  as  well  as  I  do,  that 
the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  never  could  have  been 
formed,  in  1836,  with  such  resolutions  as  those  of  1850  appended. 
Who  would  have  formed  it?  Certainly  not  those  who  contended 
for  the  translation  of  haptizo  and  its  cognates ;  and  certainly  not 
those  who  were  opposed  to  a  new  Bible  Society  altogether.  Hear 
what  was  said  in  1837,  by  one  whose  arguments  have  been  quoted, 
in  our  recent  Bible  controversy,  with  unqualified  admiration ;  I 
mean  the 

REV.  W.  T.  BRANTLY,  D.D. 

"It  was  his  opinion  that  the  members  of  the  body  then  present, 
had  generally  come  there  with  their  minds  fully  made  up,  and  he 
therefore  felt  the  greater  hesitation  in  declaring  his  sentiments  in 
that  public  manner,  in  direct  opposition  to  the  acknowledged  views 
of  many  brethren  for  whom  he  entertained  cordial  respect  and 
esteem.  He  regarded  them  as  coadjutors  in  a  great  and  holy 
cause,  and  was  unwilling  to  believe  that  any  difference  of  opinion 
betwixt  them  and  himself,  as  to  the  best  means  of  accomplishing 
an  object  in  which  they  agreed,  could  ever  alienate  the  best  affec- 
tions of  his  heart  from  them.  He  claimed  to  be  a  Baptist,  both 
from  education  and  principle,  and  hoped  to  be  regarded  as  not  one 
whit  behind  any  present  in  the  love  of  denominational  peculiarities. 
If  he  differed  from  them  as  to  the  best  method  of  promoting  what 
he  loved,  it  was  from  conscientious  convictions.  He  was  opposed 
to  a  new  and  distinct  plan  of  operation  in  conducting  and  sustaining 
the  Bible  cause  in  foreign  tongues,  because  it  would  render  un- 
necessarily complex  the  department  of  benevolent  action.  There 
was  already  an  organization  for  this  specific  purpose,  and  until  the 
deficiency  of  that  organization  should  be  proved,  he  would  not  vote 
for  a  new  one.  Hitherto,  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
had  sustained  and  conducted  the  whole  matter  of  translating  and 
diffusing  the  Bible,  in  connection  with  all  their  missionary  stations. 
Had  they  done  the  work  well  or  ill  ?  A  new  organization  for 
doing  what  that  respected  and  indefatigable  body  has  been  doing 
for  the  last  ten  years,  at  least,  would  seem  to  carry  the  implication 
that  they  had  not  done  it  well — nay,  that  they  were  chargeable 
either  with  some  malversation  in  office,  or  else  that  their  organiza- 


14  FIRST    ANNIVERSARY    OF 

tion  is  defective.  Neither  of  these  positions  could  be  entertained. 
The  Baptist  Board  of  Missions  had  not  betrayed  their  trust,  neither 
was  their  plan  of  action  defective.  It  was  a  channel  through  which 
mlo-ht  flow  the  largest  tide  of  benevolence  that  could  roll  forth 
from  us  for  the  benefit  of  the  heathen.  Had  it  ever  evinced  any 
incompetency  ?  Had  it  ever  slumbered  in  the  execution  of  the 
trust  confided  to  it  1  Or  had  it  ever  evinced  any  incapacity  to 
fulfil  the  most  liberal  and  enlarged  intentions  of  its  patrons  and 
constituents  1  That  body  had  never  yet  failed  in  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  its  trust — and  he  saw  no  reason  to  apprehend  that  it  ever 
would. 

"  Why  then  should  we  attempt  to  add  another  power  to  a  machinery 
which  could  not  be  interfered  with  but  to  the  detriment  of  its  ex- 
isting organization  ?  Such  an  addition  was,  in  his  view  of  the  sub- 
ject, useless — nay,  worse  than  useless — because  every  extraneous 
matter  in  a  plan  of  action  already  complete,  was  an  impediment  to 
its  successful  progression.  As  in  household  affairs,  a  given  number 
of  domestics  could  perform  all  the  functions  of  the  establishment, 
while  an  addition  to  the  number  would  necessarily  retard,  by  in- 
terference and  the  loss  of  order,  the  execution  of  those  functions. 
So  it  is  in  the  operations  of  Christian  benevolence.  Too  many 
functionaries  will  be  in  each  other's  way ;  and  will  inevitably  delay 
the  progress  of  the  great  work.  In  our  instrumentalities  for  bene- 
fiting the  world  by  the  extension  of  the  religion  of  Christ,  we 
should  imitate  the  simple  economy  perceptible  in  the  works  of 
Providence.  Here  thei'e  is  no  needless  multiplication  of  secondary 
agencies — all  is  simple,  orderly,  and  yet  most  effective.  Let  us 
keep  in  view  that  simplicity,  and  shape  our  course,  as  far  as  possi- 
ble, upon  its  admirable  properties  and  tendencies.  Let  us  strive 
to  correct  the  multifariousness  of  our  instrumentalities  by  referring 
them  to  the  ways  and  methods  of  Divine  Providence. 

"  In  God's  one  single  doth  its  end  produce, 
And  serves  to  second  too  some  other  use. 

"  Mr.  B.  said,  that  although  he  had  stated  these  reasons  against 
any  new  organization,  yet  should  such  an  one  be  found  necessary, 
and  judged  expedient  by  his  brethren,  he  would  acquiesce  in  their 
determinations,  so  far  as  those  determinations  might  relate  to  the 
field  of  foreign  labor;  any  extension  beyond  this  he  should  deem 
utterly  inadmissible." 

Grant  Dr.  Brantly's  premises,  and  his  conclusions  are  logical 
and  irrefragable.  If  the  commonly  received  English  version,  with- 
out note  or  comment,  is  alone  to  be  circulated,  the  American  Bible 
Society  can  do  the  work  better  and  cheaper  than  the  American  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society,  for  the  reasons  that  they  have  a  heavier 
capital  invested,  a  much  larger  annual  income,  and  greater  facilities 
for  distribution.      If  the  versions  of  our  missionaries  among  the 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  ^5 

heathen  are  to  be  put  in  circulation,  we  need  no  better  agency  than 
the  Missionary  Union  ;  and,  as  Dr.  Brantly  said  in  debate,  "  we 
have  no  more  need  of  a  new  Bible  Society  than  a  coach  has  for  a 
fifth  wheel."  But  the  question  with  us  was  not  a  mere  matter  of 
dollars  and  cents.  An  organization  was  required  to  defend  the 
principle  of  Bible  translation  ;  to  explain  its  character  ;  to  enforce 
its  claims,  and  to  embrace  every  suitable  opportunity  to  extend  its 
influence.  While  this  principle  was  held  sacred,  the  American 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society  accomplished  much  good,  and  we  bless 
God  for  it;  but  the  Resolutions  of  May,  1S50,  are  suicidal,  nor  do 
we  believe  that  the  Institution  we  so  dearly  loved,  and  for  which 
from  the  beginning  we  so  ardently  prayed  and  toiled,  can  long  sur- 
vive their  influence. 

Of  the  second  resolution,  the  London  Primitive  Church  Maga- 
zine of  September,  1850,  speaks  in  the  following  terms  : 

"  Whereas,  by  the  constitution  of  this  society,  its  object  is  "  to 
aid  in  the  wider  circulatidn  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in  all  lands," 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  "  That  it  is  not  the  province  and  duty  of  the  Amei'ican 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society  to  attempt,  on  their  own  part,  or  to  pro- 
cure from  others,  a  revision  of  the  commonly  received  English 
version  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures." 

"  A  glorious  non-sequitur  as  ever  we  saw,  for  which  the  Rev.  R. 
Turnbull  ought  indeed  to  have  conferred  on  him,  if  he  has  not  yet 
received  it,  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  From  whatever  other 
premises  the  conclusion  may  follow,  it  certainly  does  not  follow 
from  those  laid  down,  which  point  indeed  to  the  very  opposite  one. 
Such  must  have  been  the  feeling  of  the  meeting,  for  directly  after- 
wards we  find  the  following  resolution  was  proposed  : 

"  Resolved,  "  That  the  second  article  of  the  constitution  be  so 
amended,  as  to  read  as  follows :  '  It  shall  be  the  object  of  this 
Society  to  aid  in  the  wider  circulation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  in 
foreign  lands.' " 

"  This  resolution  was  afterwards  referred  to  a  committee  of  seven 
brethren  to  consider  of  it,  and  to  report  at  the  next  annual  meeting. 
But  surely  our  American  brethren  will  never  be  so  far  driven  from 
their  propriety  as  to  pass  it.  We  cannot  help  feeling,  as  we  read 
the  report,  as  if  they  had  already  entered  on  a  retrograde  course, 
and  were  in  the  very  act  of  retreating  from  a  post,  which  they  had 
occupied  so  nobly,  and  where  they  were  setting  an  example,  that 
would  stimulate  and  encourage,  in  no  ordinary  degree,  our  own 
division  of  the  great  Christian  army,  in  the  onward  march  to  truth 
and  ultimate  victory." 

This  criticism  is  just;  the  non-se^uitur  &n.d  the  retrograde  move- 
ment are  perfectly  transparent. 


16  FIRST    ANNIVERSARY    OF 

In  addressing  the  Bible  Union  in  June  last,  I  based  the  necessity 
of  my  resignation  as  President  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society  upon  the  fact  of  its  "  having  virtually  resolved  to  stereotype 
and  perpetuate  the  errors  and  obscurities  of  King  James's  version." 
In  the  October  Periodical  it  is  asserted  that  this  allegation  is  entirely 
unfounded.  "  Whether  as  fact  or  inference  the  allegation  has  no 
justification  in  the  action  of  the  Society."  Words  then  are  no  longer 
signs  of  ideas.  To  restrict  their  issues  of  the  English  Scriptures 
to  King  James's  version,  "  without  note  or  comment,"  does  not 
mean  what  it  says.  "  It  palters  with  us  in  a  double  sense."  It 
must  have  an  interpretation  addressed  to  "  the  consideration  of  all 
impartial  and  truth-seeking  minds."  Blessed  minds  they  are,  always 
ready  to  call  things  by  their  right  names  ;  if  they  mean  immersion, 
neither  ashamed  nor  afraid  to  speak  it.  I  love  and  honor  such 
minds.  But  what  is  this  double  sense?  "  The  Society  does  not 
set  itself  against  the  possibilities,  or  possible  necessities  of  the 
future."  Is  this  sentence  intended  to  indicate  their  future  course  ? 
Will  they  rescind  the  Resolutions  1  I  know  Dr.  Ide  said  they  could 
do  so  whenever  they  pleased.  But  will  they  venture  to  do  so,  after 
having  held  us  up  to  shame  and  fiery  indignation  for  rescinding  the 
temporary  resolution  of  1838  ?  We  must  wait  to  see  ;  while  I 
express  my  unwavering  conviction  that  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society  was  established  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  vindi- 
cating the  great  principle  of  Bible  translation  ;  that  this  was  the 
general  understanding  at  the  time ;  and  that  nothing  but  ignorance 
of  the  facts  in  the  case,  or  strong  prejudice  can  deny  it :  the  reso- 
lutions of  1850  contravene  this  great  principle,  and  the  Society 
therefore  has  "  departed  from  its  original  position  and  policy." 

Hence  the  necessity  for  the  formation  of  the  American  Bible 
Union.  It  is  exactly  adapted  to  meet  the  emergency,  and  to  vindi- 
cate the  original  principle,  the  Bihle  translated — the  Bible  for  the 
world  !  In  the  second  article  of  the  Constitution  this  is  inscribed 
upon  our  flag  in  plain  vernacular  language  that  can  be  understood 
by  the  common  people  without  an  interpreter ;  and  in  the  last 
article  the  flag  is  nailed  to  the  mast. 

It  is  proper  on  this  occasion  to  say  a  ievf  words  touching  the 
New  Testament  edited  by  Cone  and  WyckoflT.  We  made  it  an 
Immersionist  version  ; — and  that  Baptism  is  Immersion,  the  scholar- 
ship of  the  world  has  declared.  If  we  are  not  correct  in  this,  then 
there  is  no  word  in  the  Bible,  the  meaning  of  which  can  be  accu- 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  17 

rately  ascertained.     We  have   called  God  a  Spirit  rather  than  a 
Ghost;  we  have  jDut  Passover m&te^di  of  Easter;  living  creatures 
around  the  throne,  and  not  leasts,  &c.,  &c.,  not  pretending  to  have 
corrected  every  error  of  King  James's  version,  but  merely  showing 
that  a  good  translation  could  be  made  better,  and  rendered  plainer 
to  the  ordinary  reader.     Our  tract,  The  Bible  Translated,  and  the 
preface   to    the   New  Testament    afterwards    issued,   conclusively 
prove  that "  our  feeble  endeavors"  were  only  expected  and  intended 
to   open  the  way  for  the  perfecting   of  the    commonly  received 
version  ;  and  for  this,  our  religious  press,  and  learned  brethren,  and 
lovers  of  expediency,  have  seemed   desirous    to  take  away  from 
Cone  and  Wyckoff  every  attribute  of  Christian  character.     If  you 
would  have  a  specimen,  see  Dr.  WiUiams's  Pastoral  Letter — hear 
in  what  kind  and  dignified  language  he  speaks  of  us  and  our  work  : 
"  Ruthless,"  a  "  rude  onset,"  "  one  of  the  godless  tendencies"  of 
our  times,  "  rash  flounderings  in  Biblical  criticism,"  written  with  a 
"jaundiced  vision,"  in  "hot  haste,"  and  "  breathing  precipitancy 
and    harshness ;"  and  speaking    of  its    authors   as   "  schoolboys," 
"  stultifying"    their   own    arguments,    "  adventurous    innovators," 
"  pitching  a  camp  upon  the  Slough  of  Despond,"  and  making  battle 
from  "  a  mere  Serbonian  bog"  against  "  the  classics  of  Greece  and 
England,"^  "  bespattering  the  sepulchres"    of  departed  worthies, 
and  "  spitting  on  martyr  ashes."  &c.,  &c. 

Here,  it  seems  to  me,  is  an  array  of  opprobrious  epithets  sufficient  to 
satisfy  any  reasonable  amount  of  envy,  fault-finding,  or  sarcasm.  I 
have  neither  leisure  nor  inclination  to  examine  this  celebrated  letter ; 
and  time  will  perhaps  show  that  the  heaviest  blow  from  the  hammer 
of  Thor  is  light  indeed,  compared  with  the  consciousness  of  having 
brought  unfounded  accusations  against  a  brother,  and  of  making  a 
desperate  effort  to  hold  him  up  to  ridicule  and  contempt.  But  if 
Dr.  "Williams  can  descend  to  such  things,  1  need  not  wonder  that 
others,  with  less  learning  and  delicacy,  should  come  among  the 
people  of  my  charge,  unite  with  the  few  who  aretroublers  amongus, 
in  turning  the  Bible  question  into  one  of  -personal  hostility,  and 
waging  "  war  to  the  knife."  But  my  mind  is  steadfast  and  unmova- 
ble.  I  have  said  in  my  own  pulpit,  and  say  again,  that  I  am  as 
thoroughly  convinced  that  God  has  called  me  to  aid  in  procuring  and 
circulating  faithful  versions  of  the  Bible  in  all  languages,  as  that 
He  ever  called  me  to  preach  the  Gospel ;  and  I  am  willing  to  die 
at  the  stake,  as  Tyndale  did,  if  I  maybe  instrumental  in  giving  to  my 
own  countrymen  a  corrected  version  of  the  Bible. 


FIRST 
ANNUAL    REPORT 


The  American  Bible  Union  was  organized  on  the  10th 
of  June,  1850. 

The  period  immediately  preceding  had  been  one  of  pro- 
found gloom.  Error  and  prejudice  seemed  to  have  prevailed 
over  the  light  of  tiiith,  and  clouds  and  mists  darkened  the 
horizon  of  popular  opinion.  Beyond  the  present  scene,  faith 
could  discern  a  God  of  hght,  but  mere  human  speculation 
saw  only  in  passing  events  the  prevalence  of  the  doctrines  of 
expediency  and  a  regard  for  the  traditions  of  men. 
Incipient  Meeting. 

The  first  faint  gleam  of  a  fairer  prospect  and  a  brighter 
hope  was  manifest  at  the  meeting  of  friends  of  the  Bible  on 
the  27th  day  of  May.*  Summoned  together  to  consider  the 
propriety  of  organizing  an  association  to  procure  and  circu- 
late the  most  faithful  versions  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  in  all 
lands,  they  felt  that  on  them  and  their  deliberations  devolved 
a  momentous  responsibility.  It  was  then,  that,  as  they  knelt 
in  silence  around  the  throne  of  the  heavenly  grace,  their  hearts 
swelling  with  emotion,  and  their  eyes  suffused  with  tears, 
they  found  encouragement  in  the  sense  of  the  Divine  presence, 
and  their  souls  were  knit  together  in  the  firm  resolution,  de- 

*The   proceedings  of  this  meeting,  and  also  those  of  June  10th,  when  the 
American  Bible  Union  was  organized,   are   recorded  in   a  pamphlet   entitled 
"Constitution  of  the  American  Bible   Union,  organized  by  a  Convention  of 
friends  of  pure  versions  of  the  Bible  in  all  languages." 
18 


THE    AMERICAN   BIBLE    UNION.  19 

pending  on  God,  to  do  their  duty,  and  trust  the  consequences 
with  Him. 

Period  of  Organization. 

The  hope  inspired  on  that  occasion,  was  not  disappointed 
at  the  season  of  organization.  A  growing  expectation  was 
then  discernible,  that  God  was  about  to  vindicate  his  truth. 
Through  the  vast  assembly  congregated  on  the  evening  of  the 
1 0th  of  June,  one  sentiment  seemed  to  prevail.  Lying  as  it 
did  at  the  basis  of  the  Constitution,  being  embodied  in  the 
Address  of  the  Union,  and  rendered  prominent  in  every 
speech,  it  was  permanently  engrafted  in  the  hearts  of  all 
present  who  loved  the  truth  : 

That  the  word  of  God  should  he  translated  in  every  language 
among  men,  in  just  such  terms  as  will  most  unmistaJceahly  convey 
the  mind  of  the  Spirit. 

It  was  clearly  seen  and  felt,  that  no  doctrines  of  worldly 
expediency,  no  fears  of  denominational  injury,  no  apprehen- 
sions of  reproach  or  opposition,  ought  to  be  permitted  to  in- 
terfere with  the  endeavor  faithfully  to  discharge  this  solemn 
duty.  A  sentiment  so  indisputable,  involving  consequences 
of  incalculable  importance  to  the  whole  human  race,  took 
hold  upon  the  heart  of  the  believer,  and  awakened  his  zeal 
for  the  glory  of  the  God  of  the  Bible.  The  immediate  result 
was  a  contribution,  which  stands  almost  unrivalled  in  the  his- 
tory of  such  organizations.  Fifty-one  life-memberships,  and 
forty-seven  directorships,  were  constituted  on  the  occasion. 
Nearly  all  the  money  has  been  paid  into  the  treasury,  and  of 
the  remainder  no  portion  is  doubtful. 
A  New  Era. 
From  that  period  anew  era  commenced.  No  friend  of  the 
American  Bible  Union  has  since  supposed  that  the  enterprise 
was  doubtful.  The  dawn  of  a  brighter  day  was  hailed  by 
hearts  overflowing  with  thankfulness  to  the  Father  of  Lights 
from  whom  cometh  every  good  and  perfect  gift.  The  full 
"assurance  of  hope  infused  a  corresponding  energy  into  every 
department  of  the  new  organization.     In  a  very  little  while 


20  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

additional  sources  of  strength  and  encouragement  were  de- 
veloped in  the  correspondence  of  the  Union.  Letters,  breath- 
ing zeal  and  pledging  effort,  flowed  in  from  every  direction. 
Some  of  these  were  selected  and  published,  in  connection 
with  the  report^  of  proceedings  at  the  founding  of  the  institu- 
tion. But  the  great  number  received  compelled  a  limited 
selection,  and  precluded  the  publication  of  many  powerful 
arguments  and  thrilling  appeals  presented  in  them,  on  the 
necessity  of  a  revision  of  the  English  Scriptures. 

Re-action. 
A  marked  reaction  in  public  opinion  began  to  take  place. 
This  has  since  rapidly  progressed,  and  is  now  distinctly  de- 
noted by  several  indubitable  indications. 

The  Press. 
The  public  press,  which  in  this  part  of  the  country  was 
arrayed  in  decided  opposition,  now  begins  to  speak  in  mel- 
lowed tones  of  our  enterprise,  occasionally  acknowledging 
that  the  object  is  good,  and  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  may 
be  in  the  movement,  and  generally  refraining  from  those  ex- 
pressions of  asperity  and  bitterness  which  formerly  charac- 
terized the  hostihty  of  some  of  our  religious  journals. 

Views  of  Individuals. 
Many  individuals  who  heretofore  were  understood  to  advo- 
cate "  the  Bible  as  it  is,"  that  is,  the  common  version  without 
correction  of  its  errors,  now  speak  decidedly  in  favor  of  cor- 
rection, and  assure  us,  that  their  only  lingering  doubts  regard 
the  mode  of  accomplishing  the  object.  Indeed,  so  prevalent 
are  our  sentiments  becoming,  that  those  who  still  cherish  the 
disposition  to  oppose,  are  obliged  to  change  the  character  of 
their  objections,  and  to  base  them  upon  doubts  of  the  necessity 
of  our  peculiar  form  of  organization. 

Change  of  Views  Acknowledged. 
More  direct  and  positive  evidences  of  the  growing  change^ 
are  furnished  by  many  who  have  identified  themselves  with 
the  Union.     They  frankly  acknowledge  that,  as  they  have 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  21 

been  led  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  question  at  issue, 
their  views  have  undergone  a  complete  alteration,  and  they 
most  cordially  favor  and  support  that  which  before  they  stren- 
uously opposed.  Our  correspondence  teems  with  such  ac- 
knowledgments. Our  agents  are  encouraged  by  them  wher- 
ever they  go. 

Substantial  ToJcens. 

Ministers  and  churches,  associations  and  ministerial  con- 
ferences, listen  with  respect  and  attention  to  those  who  advo- 
cate the  cause  of  the  American  Bible  Union,  and  in  many 
instances  give  the  most  substantial  tokens  of  their  favor  and 
approbation.  One  of  our  agents,  brother  A.  Maclay,  has, 
since  the  middle  of  July,  obtained  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five  life-members,  and  fourteen  life-directors,  at  a  distance 
from  the  city  of  New-York.  This  single  fact  annihilates  the 
report,  for  a  time  industriously  circulated,  that  all  interest  in 
the  objects  of  the  Union  was  confined  to  this  city. 
Receipts  and  Subscriptions. 

Although  the  Union  has  not  yet  closed  the  fourth  month  of 
its  existence,  our  subscription-list  already  amounts  to  $13,- 
301.92,  of  which  $5,595.50  has  been  paid,  and  nearly  all  the 
remainder  is  payable  during  the  ensuing  winter.  233  respon- 
sible persons  have  subscribed  Hfe-memberships,  and  65  life- 
directorships. 

The  Real  Change. 

It  would  be  a  mistake  to  suppose,  that  the  reaction  to  which 
we  have  referred,  embraces  in  most  cases  a  radical  change 
of  principle.  Real  Christians  must  in  their  hearts  favor  the 
cause  of  truth.  But  false  issues  may  be  started,  and  facts 
mystified,  so  that  men  may  imagine  theitisclves  to  be  advo- 
cating the  cause  of  truth  when  they  are  actually  arrayed  on 
the  side  of  error.  Such  we  apprehend  to  have  been  the  case 
in  the  present  instance.  The  public  press  had  so  obscured 
the  real  question  at  issue,  that  few  understood  it.  But  as 
light  has  been  diffused  through  our  pubHcations,  the  under- 
standing of  many  has  become  clear,  and  their  consciences 


22  FIRST    ANNUAL   REPORT. 

have  immediately  decided  in  favor  of  what  is  right.  This 
process,  we  beUeve,  will  continue,  as  light  spreads  more 
widely  and  brightly,  until  all  who  love  God  and  desire  to  do 
His  holy  will,  shall  be  found  sustaining  the  principles  and 
purposes  of  the  American  Bible  Union. 

Assurance  of  Prosperity  and  Success. 

The  strongest  assurance  of  our  present  prosperity  and 
ultimate  success  is  derived  from  the  conviction  that  these 
principles  and  purposes  please  God.  Nothing  can  be  more 
in  unison  with  the  character  of  Jehovah  and  His  great  designs 
for  the  reclamation  of  a  lost  world,  than  the  humble  endeavors 
of  His  people  to  circulate  His  truth  as  free  from  error  and 
indistinctness  as  can  be  attained  by  human  scholarship  and 
Christian  principle.  He  is  a  Being  of  immaculate  purity, 
dwelling  in  light  unapproachable  and  full  of  glor3^  Those 
who  are  born  of  His  Spirit  are  declared  to  be  children  of  the 
light.  To  them  is  entrusted  the  Lamp  of  Life.  It  is  their 
highest  privilege  and  their  bounden  duty  to  let  its  rays  shine 
without  obstruction.  Whatever  obscures  its  light,  must  be 
displeasing  to  Him  in  whom  is  no  darkness  at  all ;  but  what- 
ever conduces  to  exhibit  it  in  its  native  clearness,  and  bright- 
ness, and  purity,  will  most  assuredly  have  His  approbation 
and  blessing. 

A  Sure  Foundation. 

The  liberal  and  comprehensive  views  that  characterize  our 
Constitution  and  Address,  afford  a  sure  foundation  for  per- 
petual usefulness  and  prosperity.  A  more  restricted  policy 
could  never  accomphsh  the  large  objects  which  we  have  in 
view.  All  persons  are  welcomed  to  cooperation  with  us  who 
desire  to  procure  and  circulate  the  most  faithful  versions  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures,  and  our  field  of  operations  is  the  world. 
The  English  language  is  intimately  connected  with  others  ; 
and  the  principle  of  univocal  translations  pertains  to  the  world. 

Influence  of  the  English  Version  over  others. 
Many  facts  and  incidents  might  be  adduced  to  prove  the 
influence  of  the  English  Scriptures  over  versions  in  other  Ian- 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  23 

guages  ;  but  one  will  be  sufficient  to  place  the  matter  beyond 
a  doubt. 

In  the  preface  to  "  The  Psalms  in  Sgau  Karen,  Translated 
by  F.  Mason,  Maulmain,  1849,"  the  translator  states : 

"  When  the  signification  of  a  passage  was  doubtful  in  the  translator's 
mind,  it  has  been  his  rule  to  render  according  to  the  English  version.  The 
hallowed  associations  which  that  version  has  in  the  mind  of  every  English 
reader,  seems  to  entitle  it  to  this  homage.  For  instance,  take  Ps.  111:2,  where 
DeWette  renders,  "  Erwanscht  nach  all  ihrer  Lust,"  "  wished  for,  according 
to  all  their  desire,"  Hengstenburg  translates,  "  Enquired  after,  according  to 
all  their  wishes."  Some  rendering  like  the  above,  may  be  the  correct  one, 
but  the  translator  being  in  doubt,  the  translation  has  been  made  to  conform 
to  the  English  version, '  sought  out  of  all  them  that  have  pleasure  therein.'  " 

Among  the  missionaries  who  are  engaged  in  the  work  of 
translating  the  Sacred  Scriptures  into  heathen  tongues,  few 
are  better  qualified  for  their  task  than  brother  Mason  ;  and  if 
he  acknowledges  that  in  doubtful  passages,  he  yields  his  judg- 
ment to  the  English  version,  the  inference  is  irresistible  that 
others,  less  qualified  to  judge  of  the  original,  and  equally  con- 
trolled by  "  the  hallowed  associations"  of  the  English  version, 
bow  in  humble  "  homage  "  to  the  latter  in  many  passages, 
which  in  the  estimation  of  good  Hebrew  and  Greek  scholars 
are  not  therein  correctly  rendered.  In  exemplification  of  this 
disposition  to  do  homage  to  the  English,  even  where  it  is 
wrong,  or  doubtful,  we  quote  the  following  passage  from  the 
"  Preface  to  the  Second  Edition  of  the  Sgau  Karen  New  Tes- 
tament," a  work  just  completed  by  brother  Mason,  and  pub- 
lished by  him  at  Tavoy. 

It  will  be  remarked,  that  the  same  passage  contains  addi- 
tional evidence  of  the  fact  already  so  incontrovertibly  sub- 
stantiated, that  the  translators  of  our  conimon  version  were 
largely  influenced  by  the  Latin  Vulgate,  if  they  did  not  actu- 
ally found  their  work  upon  it. 

"  The  history  of  Biblical  translation  proves  that  many  alterations  are 
made,  and  they  become  popular,  which  are  not  merely  negatively  no  im- 
provements, but  positive  errors.  John  10 :  16;  is  rendered  in  the  received 
version :  "  Other  sheep  I  have ;  not  of  this  fold — and  there  shall  be  one  fold, 
»«d  one  shepherd."    So  it  reads  in  the  Burman  version,  and  so,  by  an  over- 


S4  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

sight,  it  reads  in  the  first  edition  of  the  Karen;  and  though  that  edition  has 
been  formally  revised  by  one  brother,  and  informally  criticised  by  several 
others,  yet  the  error  has  been  passed  over  unnoticed.  De  Wette  translates 
the  last  clause ;  "  and  there  shall  be  one  flock  (Eine  Heerde)  and  one  shep- 
herd." That  this  is  the  correct  rendering,  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt,  but  it  is 
no  new  German  discovery.  In  one  of  the  old  versions,  throvi^n  into  obscuri- 
ty by  King  James'  translation, "  appointed  to  be  read  in  churches;"  the  Greek 
aulee  fold,  and  poimnee  flock,  are  distinguished  as  in  De  Wette ;  but  the 
karned  monarch's  translators  rejected  this  rendering  of  the  original,  and  adop- 
ted one  made  from  the  Vulgate  Latin,  which  has  ovik  fold,  for  both  Greek 
words ;  and  yet,  before  the  existence  of  the  Vulgate,  the  Syriac  version  cor- 
rectly distinguished  the  two ;  the  last  member  reading :  vatehve  eene  culoh 
hado  vahad  noeeyo — and  the  flock,  all  of  it,  shall  be  one,  audits  shepherd  one. 
This  illustrates  the  wisdom  of  our  ancestors;  but  are  our  cotempo- 
raries  wiser  ?  Mr.  Ballard  translated  John  into  Pwo,  and  rendered  [these 
words]  in  this  verse  correctly  :  but  a  new  translation  has  been  made  intend- 
ed to  supersede  that ;  in  which  we  have  given  back  to  us  again  the  good 
old  rendering  of  King  James  and  saint  Jerome." 

Collateral  Ptiblications. 
In  the  inevitable  order  of  events  now  progressing,  it  is  ma- 
nifest that  the  English  language  will  be  extensively  used  by 
almost  every  nation,  among  whom  the  American  Bible  Union 
may  carry  out  the  objects  of  the  association,  "  to  procure  and 
circulate  the  most  faithful  versions  of  the  Holy  Scriptures." 
It  is  equally  clear  that  it  will  greatly  enhance  the  circulation 
and  usefulness  of  our  publications,  to  have  some  editions  in 
each  language  printed  in  parallel  columns  with  the  English. 
To  the  natives  of  Burmah  and  India,  of  Germany  and  France, 
this  will  greatly  facilitate  the  acquisition  of  a  knowledge  of 
the  English  tongue,  while  our  own  countrymen  will  be  in  the 
same  degree  assisted  in  acquiring  the  languages  of  Asia  and 
of  Europe.  The  service  which  such  books  will  render  to  mis- 
sionaries and  to  natives,  will  be  incalculable. 

Necessity  of  Uniformity  in  Versions. 
But  it  is  evident  that  such  works,  to  be  creditable  and  use- 
ful, must  correspond.  Each  must  be  made  on  the  same  prin- 
ciple. The  word  of  God  to  the  native  of  Bengal  must  not 
speak  differently  in  his  vernacular  tongue  from  the  meaning 
which  it  expresses  to  him  in  the  English.     Each  verse  in  the 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  25 

one  language  being  by  the  side  of  the  same  verse  in  the  other, 
any  discrepancy  in  signification  would  be  immediately  appa- 
rent, and  lead  to  doubt  and  inquiry.  But  to  what  honest,  un- 
sophisticated, native  mind,  would  it  be  a  satisfactory  explana- 
tion of  such  a  discrepancy,  that  error  or  obscurity  ivas  know- 
ingly left  in  the  English  version  from  motives  of  expediency  ? 
We  think  that  every  candid  mind  will  be  ready  to  admit,  that 
the  only  mode  of  attaining,  or  closely  approximating  to,  the 
uniformity  desirable  in  the  versions  of  the  word  of  God,  is  for 
each  to  be  based  upon  the  principle  to  which  allusion  has  al- 
ready been  made,  to  employ  in  every  language  just  those 
terms  which  will  most  unmistakeably  convey  the  mind  of  the 
Spirit,  as  expressed  in  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek.  This 
is  the  idea  of  univocal  translations,  so  prominently  set  forth 
in  the  Address  unanimously  adopted  at  our  organization. 
Connection  hetioeen  the  Home  and  Foreign  Fields. 

The  connection  between  the  home  and  foreign  field  in  the 
American  Bible  Union,  is  indissoluble.  Our  unity  of  princi- 
ple, which  is  applicable,  and  which  requires  to  be  applied,  to 
every  language  in  the  whole  world,  demands  it.  And  the 
soundest  principles  of  economy  demand  it.  Two  sets  of  agen- 
cies for  Bible  operations  will  hardly  any  where  be  acceptable, 
and  in  some  parts  of  our  country  must  be  impracticable.  But 
our  friends  are  all  interested  in  the  maintenance  of  our  prin- 
ciples abroad  as  well  as  at  home.  Because  they  desire  the 
pure  word  of  God  to  be  given  to  our  own  countrymen,  they 
do  not  the  less  desire  that  it  be  given  to  the  Karen,  the  Bur- 
mese, the  Bengalese,  and  the  Oriyan.  And  with  regard  to 
the  European  Continental  Scriptures,  a  very  special  conside- 
ration is  added,  to  bind  us  to  the  necessity  of  giving  to  them 
a  large  share  of  our  attention.  Many  of  them  are  in  similar 
condition  with  the  English,  in  respect  to  their  received  ver- 
sions. The  principle  of  transfer  prevails  in  most :  in  all  there 
is  more  or  less  of  error  and  obscurity. 

Spanish  Scriptiires. 

The  correction  of  the  Spanish  Scriptures  is  an  object  of 


26  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

cherished  interest.  The  immense  population  using  that  lan- 
guage both  in  North  and  South  America,  easily  accessible  by 
us — some  indeed  embraced  within  the  circle  of  our  own  gov- 
ernment— renders  it  unspeakably  important  and  desirable 
that  we  should  have  an  accurate  and  faithful  version  of  the 
Sacred  Scriptures  to  circulate  amongst  them.  There  is  not 
at  present  existing,  in  that  language,  a  version  which,  consis- 
tently with  the  principles  we  profess,  could  receive  the  sanc- 
tion and  authorit}'  of  the  American  Bible  Union.  It  is  there- 
fore indispensable  that  we  should  seek  to  procure  a  transla- 
tion as  pure  and  truthful  as  it  can  be  rendered. 

This  matter  has  already  received  some  degree  of  attention, 
and  correspondence  has  been  held  with  regard  to  the  qualifi- 
cations of  a  brother,  a  native  of  Spain,  who  is  recommended 
as  in  some  respects  uncommonly  endowed  for  such  an  under- 
taking, and  desirous  of  assisting  in  its  accompUshment. 

In  regard  to  the  necessity  of  a  corrected  Spanish  version, 
brother  Crowe,  who  for  years  has  labored  as  a  missionary  in 
Central  America,  writes — 

"  The  possession  of  a  literal  Spanish  translation  of  the  New  Testament, 
free-  from  the  merely  ecclesiastical  terms,  is  one  of  the  treasures  I  most 
covet  to  take  back  with  me  to  Central  America.  I  do  not  intend  to  rest  till 
I  have  obtained  it,  as  I  cannot  be  satisfied  to  circulate  any  version  that  I  have 
yet  seen,  and  I  cannot  exist  without  circulating  it.  My  plan  is  to  translate 
every  translatable  word,"  &c. 

Portuguese  ScrijJtures. 
The  Portuguese  language,  with  the  immense  empire  of  Bra- 
zil at  our  doors,  to  which  our  countrymen  have  the  most  ready 
access,  presents  almost  equal  attractions.  We  hope  that  the 
time  is  not  far  distant,  when  we  shall  energetically  enter  upon 
this  portion  of  our  field,  but  for  want  of  suitable  opportunity, 
we  have  not  yet  commenced  correspondence  upon  the  sub- 
ject. 

French  Scriptures. 
In  respect  to  the  French,  we  early  commenced  correspon- 
dence with  Dr.  Devan,  with  the  view  of  engaging  competent 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  27 

scholars  in  perfecting  a  corrected  version,  which,  while  it  may 
comn:iand  the  admiration  of  the  people  for  the  purity  of  its 
idiom,  may  please  God,  and  delight  His  people,  by  its  faith- 
fulness to  the  inspired  originals. 

The  state  of  the  Dr.'s  health,  and  the  engrossing  occupa- 
tion of  his  time  in  entering  upon  a  new  scene  of  duty  at  the 
city  of  Lyons,  have  hitherto  precluded  him  from  giving  any 
attention  to  the  management  of  the  business,  although  in  a 
letter  dated  Lyons,  Aug.  15,  1850,  he  says,  in  respect  to  a 
corrected  French  version,  that  he  shall  be  rejoiced  "  to  circu- 
late it  when  it  is  prepared." 

In  the  same  letter  he  says — 

"  Opportunities  present  themselves  to  me  not  unfrequently,  for  the  distri- 
bution of  the  word  among  the  people  of  this  so-called  '  pious'  city ;  and,  as 
I  believe,  that  the  ^cord,  and  nothing  but  the  word,  can  ever  destroy  the 
power  of  antichrist,  you  may  imagine  my  anxiety  to  be  provided  with  the 
means  of  accomplishing  this  glorious  end,  I  would  therefore  take  the 
liberty  of  begging  from  the  American  Bible  Union,  an  appropriation  for  the 
immediate  distribution  of  the  word  of  God  in  this  land." 

In  another  part  of  the  letter,  bro.  Devan  writes — 

•'  Last  Lord's  day  I  opened  my  chapel,  and  at  the  same  time  baptized  my 
fourth  in  this  city.  Deep  and  wide  is  the  opposition  exercised  against  me. 
*  *  *  But  none  of  these  things  move  me.  While  I  laugh  them  to 
scorn,  I  pity  the  weakness,  and  grieve  over  the  spirit  fi-om  which  they 
emanate." 

German  Scriytures. 
The  necessity  of  a  corrected  version  in  the  German  lan- 
guage, has  long  been  felt.  Several  attempts  to  perfect  one 
have  been  made  by  distinguished  scholars,  among  whom  none 
have  been  more  successful  than  De  Wette,  whose  translation 
is  regarded  as  in  many  respects  superior  to  the  common  Eng- 
lish version.  Oncken  has  been  so  fully  convinced  of  the  de- 
fects of  Luther's  version,  that  he  has  had  a  scholar  employed 
for  more  than  a  year  past  in  preparing  a  new  one. 

"I  propose,"  he  says,  "  to  issue  an  entire  new  translation  from  the  original 
text,  in  the  preparation  of  which  a  competent  Greek  and  Hebrew  scholar, 
bro.  Schlatter,  has  been  engaged  for  the  last  twelve  months." 


28  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

In  relation  to  this  matter,  the  Committee  on  Versions 
adopted  the  following  resolution  : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  be  requested  to  correspond  with  bro.  One- 
ken  upon  the  subject,  and  to  encourage  him,  that  if  his  Testament  shall  be 
certified  by  competent  examiners  to  be  a  faithful  translation  from  the  origi- 
nal Greek,  in  plain  vernacular  German,  it  may  receive  the  support  of  the 
Union  ;  and  that  he  be  requested  to  send  to  us  proofs  of  one  Gospel,  or  a 
larger  portion  of  the  work,  before  it  is  committed  to  press." 

As  great  attention  is  now  paid  in  Germany  to  this  subject, 
and  as  several  eminent  philologists  and  biblical  critics  are 
known  to  be  engaged  in  correcting,  or  making  new  transla- 
tions from  the  original,  we  are  not  without  hope  of  being  able 
to  connect  in  a  measure  our  operations  in  English  with  theirs, 
at  least  so  far  as  to  secure  in  both  languages  the  prevalence 
of  the  same  sound  principles  of  translation  with  mutual  co- 
operation in  the  examination  of  authorities. 

Views  of  the  Board. 

This  is  one  among  many  equally  important  reasons,  which 
have  directed  the  minds  of  your  Board  to  a  brother  who  is 
regarded  as  a  competent  and  suitable  individual  to  be  placed 
in  charge  of  the  general  movement  in  the  correction  of  the  Eng- 
lish Scriptures.  If,  as  is  probable,  it  should  be  found  neces- 
sary for  him  to  visit  Europe,  he  might  largely  aid  us  by  ad- 
vice, and  the  collection  of  intelligence,  and  in  some  instances, 
by  more  direct  co-operation,  regarding  the  German,  the 
French,  the  Spanish,  and  the  Portuguese  Scriptures.  With 
these  objects  in  view,  your  Board  have  opened  negotiations 
with  him,  and  they  are  happy  to  state,  not  only  that  the  mat- 
ter has  been  favorably  entertained  by  him,  but  that  the  nego- 
tiations are  in  a  fair  degree  of  forwardness. 

It  will  be  understood  that,  whether-  the  brother  referred  to, 
or  any  other  scholar,  undertakes  the  business,  the  Board  design 
that  in  its  accomplishment  the  co-operation  of  many  eminent 
scholars  of  different  denominations,  both  in  Europe  and  this 
country,  shall  be  secured,  so  that  the  work  shall  come  forth 
with  a  weight  of  authority  which   cannot   be    successfully 


THE    AMERICAN    BIBLE    UNION.  29 

assailed.  No  compromise  of  principle  will  be  made,  and 
neither  pains  nor  expense  will  be  spared  to  render  the  book  a 
faithful  transcript  of  the  revelation  of  the  Most  High.  If  the 
success  which,  under  God,  we  anticipate,  shall  crown  our 
efforts  to  render  clear  His  truth  to  our  countrymen,  the  work 
will  live  for  ages  as  a  monument  of  usefulness,  confined  to  no. 
one  country,  but  extending  its  hallowed  influence  around  the 
globe. 

New-York  Weekly  Chronicle. 
We  may  not  close  this  Report  without  alluding  to  a  circum- 
stance, that  is  likely  to  have  a  permanent  effect  upon  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Union, — the  estabUshment  of  a  religious  paper 
at  the  seat  of  operations,  which,  it  is  understood,  will  be  free 
to  publish  our  communications,  and,  when  occasion  requires, 
to  sustain  the  advocacy  of  our  principles.  In  consequence  of 
the  want  of  such  facilities,  the  expenses  during  the  short  four 
months  of  our  existence,  have  been  uncommonly  great.  It 
was  absolutely  necessary  to  make  our  principles  known,  and 
to  explain  and  vindicate  them.  Being  cut  off  from  all  the 
usual  facilities  of  the  press,  we  were  obliged  to  have  recourse 
to  the  issue  of  pamphlets  and  circulars  to  an  extent  which, 
we  trust,  will  never  again  be  necessary.  It  is  gratifying  to 
know  that  the  circulation  of  the  publications  alluded  to,  has 
been  blessed  to  the  enlightenment  of  many  minds,  and  has 
been  a  chief  agency  in  producing  that  extraordinary  change 
in  public  opinion,  to  which  we  have  alluded  as  being  in  rapid 
progression.  But  the  advantages  of  a  weekly  paper  in  the 
support  of  such  an  institution,  are  immeasurably  superior. 
Many  facts  and  incidents,  that  have  a  bearing  on  our  inter- 
ests, can  therein  be  published,  which,  though  highly  benefi- 
cial in  their  immediate  effects,  would  not  justify  the  permanent 
record  of  a  pamphlet.  Errors  and  mistakes  of  the  press  can 
be  corrected,  and  timely  arguments  adduced  to  meet  occa- 
sion ;  interesting  letters  can  be  published  as  they  are  received  ; 
and  individuals  can  be  allowed  to  express  their  sentiments  in 
weekly   communications,   whose   favorable    opinions   might 


SO"  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

Otherwise  never  be  known  to  the  public.  These  and  various 
other  items  incident  to  a  weekly  paper,  collectively  constitute 
that  continual  dropping,  which  cannot  fail  to  wear  away  the 
stones  of  prejudice.  Numerous  and  urgent  were  the  solicita- 
tions from  friends  abroad,  and  especially  from  our  agents, 
that  some  organ  should  be  established,  through  which  the  con- 
dition and  circumstances  of  the  Union  might  every  week  be 
known ;  but  we  take  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  New  York 
WeeJcly  Chronicle  has  originated  entirely  from  private  enter- 
prise, and  that  it  is  in  no  way  whatever  connected  either  in 
its  pecuniary  support,  or  the  responsibility  of  its  management, 
with  the  American  Bible  Union. 

Close  of  the  Report. 
Such  is  a  brief  statement  of  the  progress,  and  present  con- 
dition of  the  institution.  The  signal  favor  with  which  God 
has  distinguished  us,  ought  to  call  forth  our  heartfelt  thank- 
fulness :  the  rapid  progress  of  our  principles,  while  it  in- 
creases our  confidence  in  their  ultimate  prevalence,  should 
awaken  our  vigilance  to  maintain  them  in  their  purity ;  and 
the  immense  fields  of  usefulness  opened  before  us,  should 
make  us  profoundly  sensible  of  the  weight  of  our  responsibil- 
ities, and  compel  us  to  have  recourse  to  the  wisdom  of  Him, 
who  knoweth  the  end  from  the  beginning,  and  bringeth  the 
most  secret  counsels  to  pass. 


31 


LIFE    DIRECTORS. 

00N3TITUTED   BT    THB    PAYMENT    OF    ONE   HUNDRED    D0LLAE3. 


Abbe,  Geo.  W.,  New  York $100  00 

Battle,  Cullen,  Eufaula,  Ala 100  00 

■Burden,  Joseph  W.,  Williamsburgh...  100  00 

Clearman,  Henry  V.,  New  York 100  00 

Colgate,   William,  New  York 100  00 

Colgate,  Jas.  B.,  New  York 100  00 

Colgate,  Robt.,  New  York 100  00 

Colgate,  Chas.  C,  New  York 100  00 

Compton,  Anthony,  New  York 100  00 

Cone,    Rev.   Spencer  H.,    D.D.,    New 

York,  per  Wm.  Hillman 100  00 

Cone,  Mrs.  Sallie  W.,  New  York,  per  C. 

W.Thomas 100  00 

Cornell,  Thomas,  Rondout,  N.  Y 100  00 

Durbrow,  John  B.,  New  York 100  00 

Durbrow,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.,  New  York 100  00 

Fuller,  Robert  M.,  New  York 100  00 

Fuller,  Miss  Maria  Louisa,  New  York..  100  00 

Hunt,  Wilson  G.,  New  York 100  00 

James,  Edwin,  Albany,  N.Y 100  00 

Judd,  Rev.  Orrin  B.,  New  York 100  00 

Kelley,  Eli,  New  York 100  00 

Kelley,  3Irs.  Emily,  New  York 100  00 

Kelley,  Frederick,  New  York  100  00 

Kelley,  James  E.,  New  York 100  00 

Kelley,  Robt.  W.,  New  York 100  00. 


I  Kelley,  Mrs.   Catharine,  New  York 

j  Lewis,  Richard  B.,  New  York 

Maclay,  Rev.  Archibald,  D.D.,  New 
York 

Mattocks,  Miss  Maria  M.,  New  York... 

Mills,  J.  Doremus,  Now  York ". . 

Mills,  S.  Augustus,  New  York .'." 

Mann,  Elder  Donald,  Wheatland,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y 

Parmly,  Eleazer,  New  York 

Seymour,  Miss  Eliza  B.,  New  York  ... 

Serrell,  John,  J.,  New  York 

Shaw,  James  M.,  New  York 

Smith,  Edward,  New  York 

Swaim,  Hofl.  Thomas,  Pemberton,  N.J.. 

Syms,  Samuel  R.,  New  York 

Smith,  Ezra,  New  York 

Thomas,  Griffith,  New  York 

Thomas,  Thomas,  New  York 

Thomas,  Thomas,  Hoboken,  N.  J 

Thomas  C.  W.,  Hastings,  N.  Y 

Thomas,  Mrs.  C.  W..  Hastings,  N.  Y., . . 

Thomas,  Augustus,  Bergen,  5f.  J 

Thompson,  Hugh  M.,  Essex,  Conn.,  per 
Mrs.  J.  Hay  den 

Wyckoff,  Wm.  H.,  Brooklyn 


100  oo 

100  00 

100  00 

100*00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

106  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

100  00 

LIFE    MEMBERS. 

OOHSTITUTSD    BT    THE   PAYMENT    OE    THIRTY    DOLLARS. 


Baraum,    Eder,  M.D.,  Westkill,  near 
Lexington,  Greene  Co.,  N.  Y 

Bull,  JohnP.,  New  York 

Burden,  Mrs.  J.  W.,  Williamsburg 

Boggs,  Joseph,  New  York 

Compton,  Mrs.  Maria,  New  York 

Compton,  Miss  Elizabelh,  New  York... 

Cooper  Wm.,  New  York 

Corwith,  Mrs.  Catharine,  New  York 

Davis,  Ezra  P.,  New  York 

Davis,  Mrs.  Sarah  G.,   New  York 

Douglas,  Archibald,  Skaneateles,   N.  Y. 

Fordham,  Miss  Eliza,  New  York 

Francis,  I.,  xM.D.,   Brooklyn,  N.  Y 

Hillman,  Saml.  F.,  New  York 

Holman,  Mrs.    Mary    Ann,  New    York, 
per  Thomas  Holman 

Healy,  Ebenezer,  Sennett,  N.  Y 

Jenkins,  Mrs.  Susannah,  New  York 

Kelly,  Samuel  R.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y 

Kelly,  Mrs.  Saml.  R.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.... 

Lamonte,  C.  A.,  New  York 

Lamzed,  John,  (a  British  sailor)    Dart- 
mouth, England 

Marsh,  Rev.  Leonard  G.,  New  York 

McBrair,  Robert,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y 

McBrair,  Mrs  Jane,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y 

McDonald,  Alexander,  Now  York 

Misplee,  Mrs.  Sophia,  New  York 

Morris,  Lucien  B.,  New  Y'ork 


30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

30  00 

Munroe,  John,  Elbridge,  N.  Y 30  00 

Nicholl,  Saml,  New  York 30  00 

Nicholl,  Mrs.  Saml.,  New  York 30  00 

Parkinson,  Mrs.  W.,  New  York,  per  J. 

B.  Durbrow 30  00 

Parker,  James,  New  York 30  00 

Peck,  Albert  L.,  New  York 30  00 

Pier,  Sylvester,  New  York 30  00 

Postley,  Charles,  New  York 30  00 

Postley,  Samuel  Brooke,  New  York 30  00 

Randolph,  P.  F.,  New  York 30  00 

Remington,  Rev.  S.,  New  York,  per  E. 

Bishop 30  GO 

Runyon,  M.  T.,  New  York 30  00 

Smith,  Eld.  E.  A.,  Athens,  Tenn.,2L.Jt  60  00 

Smith,  Mrs.  Edward,  New  York 30  00 

Smith,  Jolin  I.,  New  York 30  00 

Taylor,  Jeremiah  B,  New  York .'iO  00 

Townsend,  J.  H.,  New  York 30  00 

Tripp,  Ervin  H.,   New  York,  per  S.  R. 

Kelly 30  00 

Tripp,  Mrs.  E.  H.,  New  York,  per  S.  R. 

Kelly 30  00 

Tripp,  Miss,  New  York,  per  S.  R.  Kelly.  30  00 
Turneure,    Eliza,   New    York,    per   A. 

Turneure 3o  00 

Wells,  J  B.,  Williamsburgh,  N.  Y 30  00 

Wheat.  Rev.  A.  C,  New  York,  per  J.  H. 

Townsend 30  00 

Wernham,  James,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y 30  00 


32 


FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

ANNUAL     SUBSCRIPTIONS 


Cornell,  Thomas,   Rondout,  N.  Y.  during  his  [   Mann,  Elder  Donald,  Wheatland,  Monroe  Co, 
lifetime $100  per  ann.  |       during  his  life  time, $100  per  ami. 


LIFE    DIRECTORSHIPS. 

TO    BE    CONSTITUTED    BY    THE   PAYMENT    OF    ONE    HUNDRED   DOLLARS. 


Bliss,  Rev.  John  F.,  Churchville,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Bliss,  Mrs.  Anne  E.,  Churchville,  Mon- 
roe, Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Brown,  Hon.  Wm.  B.,  Parma,  Monroe 
Co.,N.Y 100  00 

Brown,  Gen.  Theron,  Mumford,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Colgate,  Samuel,  New  York , 100  00 

Cone,  Andrew,  Churchville,  Monroe 
Co.,N.Y 100  00 

Ferris,  Sherman,  Ogden,  P.  O.  Adam's 
Basin,  Monroe  Co.,N.  Y 100  00 

Fuller,  Rev.  Mai-tia  L.,  Ellenburgh, 
CliutonCo.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Fuller,  Martin  L.,  Jun.,  Ellenburgh, 
Clinton  Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Fuller,  Wm.  B.,  Ne w  York 100  00 


Gilbert,  Edward,  Utica,  N.  Y 100  00 

Harmon,    Gen.    Rawson,     Wheatland, 

Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Harmon,  Ira,  Wheatland,  Monroe    Co., 

N.Y 100  00 

Inijham,  Wm.  Smith,  Cato    4   Corners, 

Cayuga  Co.,N.Y 100  00 

James,  Wm.  T.,  New  Rochelle,  N.  Y....  100  00 
Mann,  Mrs.  Margaret,  Wheatland,  Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Miller,  F.  P.,  Mobile,  Ala 100  00 

Murphy,  Wm.  D.,  New  York 100  00 

Roberts,  Philip,  Jun.,  Peelvskill,   West- 
chester Co.,  N.  Y 100  00 

Speir,  Dea.,  Jeddo,  Orleans  Co.,  N.  Y...  100  00 

Smith,  Isaac  T.,  New  York 100  00 

Vogcll,  Rev.  H.  C,  Rome,  Oneida  Co., 
N.Y 100  00 


LIFE    MEMBERSHIPS. 

TO    BE    CONSTITUTED    BY    THE   PAYMENT    Off   THIRTY   DOLLARS. 


A  Friend  to  the  cause,  per   Rev.    W. 

Hutchinson,  North  Granville,  N.Y 30  00 

Allen,  Easou,  Claysville,  Oneida, N.  Y...  30  00 
Allen,  Eugene,  Caseville,  Oneida,  N.  Y..  30  00 
Angier,   Rev.  Aaron,  Cato    4  Corners, 

Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Angier,  James,  Canal  P.  O.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Appleton.C.  A.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y 30  00 

Armilage,  Rev.  Thomas,  New   York,  per 

J.  B.Bliven 30  00 

Ayer,  A.  H.,  Amherst,   N.Y 30  00 

Balis,     John     W.,    Escj.,     Whitesboro', 

Oneida  Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Bangs,  David,  Chili,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y...  30  00 

Barton.  D.  R.,  Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Bates,  Rev.  L.  C,  Canal  P.  O,  N.  Y ,  30  00 

Belcher,  Rev.  James,  Ellsworth,  Maine..  30  00 
Benedict,  Professor  N.   W.,  Rochester, 

N.Y 30  00 

Bishop,  Edward,  New  York 30  00 

Brown,  Rev.  E.  T.,  Wooster,  Ohio, 30  00 

Brown,  Rev.  Thomas,  Vesper,  Onondaga 

Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Bullock,  Rufus  M.,  Groton,   Tompkins 

Co.,N.Y 30  00 

Burk,  Wm.,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayuga  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Capwell,   Peter,    Wyoming,    Wyoming 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Cauldwell,  Joseph,  Whitesboro,   Oneida 

Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Cauldwell,  Cornelius,  Whitesboro,  Onei- 
da Co.,  N.Y 30  00 


Cauldwell,     Ann    Maria,     Whitesboro, 

Oneida  Co.,  N,  Y 30  00 

Chapman,    John   H.,    Cassville,  Oneida 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Chapman,    Stephen,    Cassville,   Oneida 

Co.,N.  Y 30  00 

Choate,   Joseph,  Auburn,    Oneida   Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Chollar,   Thomas  D.,   Homer,    Cortland 

Co.,N.  Y 30  00 

Clement,  Tobias,  Weedsport,  N.  Y 30  00 

Cobb,Wni.,  Hamilton,  Madison  Co.,  N.Y.  30  00 

Cobb,  E   R.,  Auburn,  N.  Y 30  00 

Coc,  John,  Jun.,  Amherst,  N.  Y 30  00 

Cole,  David,  Weedsport,  N.Y 30  00 

Cole,  James.New  York 30  00 

Colvin,  Levi,    Cato  4  Corners,    Cayuga 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Cone,  Mrs.  Mary  E.,  Churchville,    Mon- 
roe Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Cook  William,  New  York 30  00 

Cornell,  P.  D.,  Auburn,  N.  Y 30  00 

Cowell,  Enos,  Cato  4  Corners,    Cayuga 

Co..  N.  Y 30  00 

Crocket,  Mrs.  Susan  R.,  Rockland,  Me..  30  00 
Chapin,  Curtis,  Mid  Granville,  P.O.,  N.Y.  30  00 

Daniels,  Nehemiah,  New  York 30  00 

Danner  John,   Canton,  Ohio 30  00 

Darker,  Wm„  Rochester,  N.Y...., 30  00 

Dawley,  P.,  Massillon,  Ohio 30  00 

Davis,  L.  D.,  Arcade,  Wyomiu?  Co.,  N.Y.  30  00 

Dean,  Re  v.  E.,  Sennet  P.  O.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Denny,  Lewis,  Rochester,  N.  Y 30  00 


LIFE    MEMBERSHIPS. 


33 


Denny,  C.  B.,  Rochester,  N.  Y 30  00 

Dolson,  Wm.,  New  York - 30  00 

DuJley,  Sardis,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayuga 

Co.,N.  Y 30  00 

Dudley,  E.  E.  ..  ..  ..30  00 

Dugaa,  Wm.  T.,  New  York 30  00 

Eaton,  Rev.  Geo.  W.,  D  D.,    Hamilton, 

Madison  Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Eddy,  Rev.  Herman  J.,  New  York,   per 

J.  Myers 30  00 

Edely,  Wm.  H.,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayuga 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Edminster,  William,  ..  ...         30  00 

Etts,  Egbert  M.,   Penfield,  Monroe  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Forrester,  James,  New  York 30  00 

French,  E.  P.  P.,  Vesper,  Onondaga  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Fuller,  Jos.  Penfield,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y..  30  00 

Fuller,  Elijah,  Castile,  N.Y 30  00 

Fuller,  Abigail,  EUenburgh,  Clinton  Co.,  30  00 

Fuller,  Edna  Selina,        30  00 

Fuller,  Elvira,        30  00 

Fuller,  Mercy  Miranda 30  00 

Fuller,  .30  00 

Galusha,  Rev.  Elon,  Lockport,  N.  Y 30  00 

Gardner,  Sylvester,  Sennett,  N.Y 30  00 

Gibbs.Thcron  Z.,  Granville,  N.Y 30  00 

Coin,  John  W.,  New  York 30  00 

Grant,  Alexander,  Rochester,  N.  Y 30  00 

Graves,   Amos,  Homer,    Cortland    Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Graves,  Rev.  Charles,   Ca.ssville,  Oneida 

Co.,N.Y.,  per  Caleb  Green 30  00 

Graves,  Mrs.  M.  A.,  Cassville,    Oneida 

Co.,  N.  Y.,  per  Rev.  C.  Graves 30  00 

Harmon,   Elisha,   Wheatland,     Monroe 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Harmon,  Ariel, ..30  00 

Halt,   Rev.  Geo.,  New  York.,  per  J.  G, 

Whipple 30  00 

Hawes,  Rev.  Harvey,  Bath,  Me 30  00 

Haywood,   Rev.  H.  G  ,  Preston,   Miss., 

by  his  church 30  00 

Healy.  Ebenezer,  Sennett,  N.  Y 30  00 

Hickock,  James,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayu- 
ga Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Higbee,  Abijah,  Penfield,   Monroe  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Higbee,  Silas,         30  00 

Hill,  Isaac,  Canal  P.  O.,  Onondaga   Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Hitchcock,    Thomas.,   West   Henrietta, 

N.Y 30  00 

Hobby,  Ann  Sophia,  Whitesboro,  Oneida 

Co.,  N.  Y.,  per  Uriah  Hobby,  Esq 30  00 

Holmes,  Rev.  O.  A.,  East  Union,  Wayne 

Co.,  Ohio 30  00 

Inman,  Rev.  Thos.  E.,  Canton,   Ohio...   30  00 

Jenkins,  Geo.  W.,  New  York 30  00 

King,  D.  H.,  Port  Byron,   Cayuga   Co., 

N.  V 30  00 

Lake,  Noah,  West  Henrietta,  N.  Y 30  00 

Lane,  Thomas,  Whitesboro,  Oneida  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Lane,  Wm.H 30  00 

Lane.AbbyL  30  00 


Lawrence,  Daniel,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cay- 
uga Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Lawrence,  Samuel,  Penfield,  Monroe  Co., 

N.  Y 30  00 

Lewis,   Angeline,    Whitesboro,    Oneida 

Co.,  N.  Y.,  by  G.  R.  Lewis,  Esq 30  00 

Lockwood,  Oliver.  New  York 30  00 

McCarthy,  Rev.  Wm.,  Farmerville  P.O. 

Seneca  Co.,  N.  Y .30  GO 

Maryatt,    David  P.,  Harford,    Cortlind 

Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Mason,  Rev.  Edy.  Sennett  P.  O.,  N.  Y...  30  00 
Meacham,  Parsous   P.,  Cato  4  Corners, 

Cayuga  Co.,N.  Y 30  00 

Millard,   S.   S.,    Penfield,   Monroe  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Miller,  Mrs.  Dorcas,  Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Morey,  Rev.  Reuben,  Wyoming,  Wyo- 
ming Co.^  N.Y 30  00 

Blorey,  Mrs.  Abbe  C,         ..  ..         30  00 

Murphy,  Mrs.  W.  D.,  New  York 30  00 

Nutter,  Rev.  David,  North   Livermore, 

Me 30  00 

Paddock,  H.  C,  Hamilton,  Madison  Co., 

N.  Y 30  00 

Parmly,    Jeliiel,  30  00 

Parsons,  Elijah,  Sennett  P.O.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Perkins,  James,  Arcade,  Wyoming   Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Pettingall,  Reuben,  Ogden,  P.  O.,  Adam's 

Basin,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Phillips,  Rev.  C.  B.,  Chicago,  111 30  00 

Phillips,  John,  Webster,  N.Y 30  00 

Pierce,  Alvah,  Hamilton,  Madison  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Pierce,    Thomas,   Springville,  Erie  Co., 

N.  Y 30  00 

Pugsley,  T.,  New  York 30  00 

Puttkamer,  Rev.  A.M.,  Buffalo,  N.Y 30  00 

Randall.  Wm.  Austin,  Cassville,  Oneida 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Reede,  Wra.,  Canal  P.O.,  Onondaga  Co. 

N.Y 30  00 

Reede,  Rufus  A.,  Cortland,  Cortland  Co., 

N.  Y 30  00 

Rees,  Rev.  Wm.,   Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Rich,  Samuel,  Penfold,  Monroe  Co.,  N.Y.  30  00 

Rich,  Jas.  C,  30  00 

Richardson,  Chas.,  Strykersville,  N.  Y..  30  00 

Roublee.  Thos.,  Granville,  N.  Y .30  00 

Rounds,  H.  B.,  Strykersville,  N.Y 30  00 

Rowley,  Ira,  Arcade,  Wyoming  Co.,  N.Y.  30  00 
Sanders,  Martiu,  Cortland,  Cortland  Co., 

N.  y 30  00 

Sanxaj',  Joseph,  f.,  New  York 30  00 

Savage,  Lucy  M.,  Granville,  N.Y 30  00 

Searl,  Rev.  David,  Springville,  Erie  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Serpen,  John,  Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Serrell,  John,  New  York 30  00 

Shank,  Rev.  Michael,  Doylston,  Ohio..  30  00 

Shelley,  Lewis,  New  Haven,  Conn 30  00 

Slocum,  A.  G.,  Hamilton,  Madison  Co., 

N.  Y - 30  00 

Smith,   Rev.   Amasa,   Homer,    Cortland 

Co,  N.Y 30  00 

Smith,  Eli  C,  Granville,  N.Y 30  00 

3 


34 


FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 


Somerville  James,  New  York 30  00 

Soulhwick,  George,  Rondout,  N.  Y 30  00 

Spear,  Rev.   P.  B.,  Hamilton,  Madison 

Co.,N.Y 30  00 

Speir,  John,  New  York .* 30  00 

Stevens,  Agrippa,  Whitehall,  N.Y 30  00 

Stewart,  Elliott,  Ogden,  P.  O.,  Adam's 

Basin,  Monroe  Co.,  N.  Y 30  GO 

Stiles,  Seth  G.,    Pittsford,  Monroe  Co., 

N.Y 30  00 

Streeter,    Geo.   W.,    Clayville,   Oneida 

Co.,  N.Y 30  CO 

Tenny,  Charles,   Clifton  P.  O.,   Monroe 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Traves,  Lewis,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayuga 

Co.,N.Y 30  00 

Tripp,  E.H.,  for  a  friend, New  York....  30  00 

Turner,  Rev.  E.,  St.  George,  Me 30  00 

Valentine,  A.  W.,  Weedsport,  N.  Y 30  00 

Van  Buren,   Martin  J.,  Cato  4  Corners, 

Cayuga  Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

VanDe  Wint&r,  New  York 30  00 

Warn,  John,  Sennett,  N.  Y 30  00 

Warner,  Rev.  Horatio  Clay,  Onondaga 

Co.,  N.   Y 30  00 


Ward,  Samuel,  Rochester,  N.  Y 30  00 

Warrant,  Thos.  M.,  Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Waterbury,  Martha, 30  00 

Watkins,  .John  L  ,  New  York 30  00 

Webster,  Rev.  Silas  B.,  Norwalk,  Huron 

Co.,  Ohio 30  00 

Wheadon,  Cliarles  H.,  Homer,  Cortland 

Co-,  N.Y 30  00 

Wheeler,  Aurelius,  Auburn,  N.  Y 30  00 

Whipple,  JohnG.,  New  York 30  00 

Why  te,  Jas.,  Rochester,  N.Y 30  00 

Wilcox,  Timothy,    Whitesboro",  Oneida 

Co.,  N.Y 30  00 

Williams,  Rev.  Gibbon,  Wyoming,  Wy- 
oming Co.,  N.  Y 30  00 

Wilson,  P.  F.,  Weedsport,  N.Y 30  00 

Winters,  Rev.  John,  Massillon,  Ohio 30  00 

Wood,  Rev.  Jonas  B.,  Penfield,  Monroe 

Co.,  N.Y 30  GO 

Woodward,  Jonas,         ..         ..  ..30  00 

Wright,  Abram,  Elbridge,  N.  Y 30  00 

Wright,   R.  B.,  Penfield,   Monroe   Co., 

N.  Y ;..  30  00 

Wyckoff,  Rev.  C.  P.,  Weedsport,  N.  Y.  30  00 


LIST    OF    CONTRIBUTIONS 

MADE   TO    THE   AM.    BIBLE   tTNION,    FROM   JUNE    10,  1850  TO  OCT.    3,     1850. 


AWidow'sMite 1  00 

An  aged  Widow  of  the  First  Baptist  Ch., 
N.  Y 13 

A  Friend  to  the  cause.  North  Granville, 
N.  Y.,  per  Rev.  Wm.  Hutchinson,  on 

accountofL.M 5  00 

Abbe,  Geo.  W.,  New  York,  on  account 

ofL.D 50  GO 

Appleton,  C.  A.,  Brooklyn,  on  account 

ofL.M 5  00 

Backus,  Mary  A.,  Granville,  N.Y.  (don.)      1  00 
Barnum,  Eder,  M.  D.,  Westkill,  Greene 

Co.,  N.  Y.  (L.  M.) 30  00 

Battle,  CuUen,  Eufaula,  Ala.,  (L.  D.)...  100  00 

Betts,  D.  H.,  Rockland,  Me., don.  50 

Bishop,  Edward,  New  York,   to  consti- 
tute Rev.  S.  Remington  a  L.  M 30  00 

Bowen,  Rev.  Henry,  Chili,  N.Y... don.       1  00 
Brown,  Bi.shop,  Granville,  N.Y,. ..don.       1  00 

Bull,  John  P.,  New  York,  L.M 30  GO 

Burbach,  Roxanna,  Granville,  N  .Y.  don.  25 

Burden,  Joseph  W.,  Williamsburg,  L.D.  100  GO 
Burden,   Mrs.  J.  W.,  . .  L.  M.    30  00 

Burpe,  Heman,  Rockland,  Me., don.      1  OG 

Capron,  Rev.  B.  W.,   Hannibal,  N.  Y., 

don 1  GO 

Children  of  Leavett  Hewins,  jr.,  Gar- 

retsville,  Ohio 10 

Choate,  Joseph,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  on  ac- 

countof  L.M 5  00 

Chollar,  Thomas,  Homer,  Cortland  Co., 

N.Y.— L.  M 5  00 

Clearman,  Henry  V.,  New  York— L.D.,  100  00 
Clement,  Tobias,  Jordan,  N.  Y.,  on  ac- 
countofL.M 5  00 


Cobb,  E.  B.,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  on  account 
ofLM 5  00 

Colgate,  William,  New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Colgate,  Jas.  B.,  New  York,  towards  a 
fund  for  the  version  of  the  Eng.  Scrip- 
tures—L.  D 100  GO 

Colgate,  Robert,  New  York— L.  D IGO  GO 

Colgate,  Charles,  New  York— L  D 100  00 

Collection    at    Public    Meeting,     New 

York,  June  IGth 63  33 

Collection  at  Church,  atSenuett,  N.  Y., 

per  Rev.  S.  Adsit 3  GO 

CoUectionatWooster  Association,  Ohio      4  28 
"  Church    at   Canal   Dover, 

Ohio,  per  Rev.  W.  R.  McGowen 5  25 

Collection  at  2nd  Baptist  Church,  South 

St.  George,  Me 2  52 

Collection  at  Church  at  Pittsford,  N.Y.      1  GO 
"  Church  at  Ellsworth,  Me., 

towards     constituting    their   pastor, 

Rev.  J.  Belcher,  L.M 5  67 

Collection  by  Sedgwick  and  Brooklin 
Churches,  Sedgwick,  Me.,  to  qualify 
R.  S.Fogg  as  Messenger  to  the  A.B.U.     10  00 
Collins,  Phylester,  Granville,  N.Y.,  don.      1  GO 
Colvin,  Levi,  Cato  4  Corners,  N.  Y.,  on 

accountofL.M 5  GO 

Compton,  Anthony,  New  Vork— L.D..  100  00 
Compton,  Mrs.  Maria,  New  York— L.  M.  30  00 
Compton,  Miss  Eliz,,  Brooklyn— L.M.    30  GO 

Concklin,  Mr.,  Essex,  Conn don.      2  00 

Cook,  William,  New  York,  on  account 

ofL.M 10  GO 

Cornell,  Thos.,  Rondout,  N.  Y.— L.  D..  100  GO 
Corwith,  Miss  Cath.  F. ,  New  York,  L.M.    30  00 


LIST    OF    CONTRIBUTIONS, 


35 


Cozzens,  Julietta,  Granville,  N.Y.,  don.  50 

Crie,  R.  Y.,  "Rockland,  Me dou.  50 

Crippen,  Betsey,  Granville,  N.  Y. ..don.  50 

Crockett,  Mrs.  S.  R.,  Rockland,  Me.,  on 

account  of  L.M 3  00 

Culver,  Calvin,  Granville,  N.  Y don.  25 

Daniels,  Neheniiali,  New  York,  on  ac- 
count ofL.M 10  00 

Danner,  Jolin,  Canton,  Ohio,  on  account 

of  L.M 10  00 

Davis,  Ezra  P,  New  York— L.M. .30  00 

Davis,  Mrs.  Sarali,  New  York 30  00 

Dean,  Rev.  E.,  Sennett  P.  O.,  N.Y.,  on 

account  of  L.M 5  00 

Douglas,  Archibald,  Skaneateles,  N.  Y., 

—L.M 30  00 

Durbrow,  J.  B.,  Ne w  York— L.  D 100  00 

Durbrow,  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann,  New  York, 

— L.  D 100  00 

Durbrow,  J.  B.,  New  York,  to  constitute 

Mrs.  W.  Parkinson,  L.M 30  00 

Ferris,  T.,  Cato  4  Corners,  Cayuga,  Co., 

N.Y don.      2  00 

Fordhani,  Mrs.  Eliza,  New  York— L.M.     30  00 

Francis,  L,  M.D..    Brooklyn— L.  M 30  00 

Fuller,  Robert  M.,  New  York— L.  D...  100  00 
Fuller,  Miss  Maria  Louisa,  New  York — 

L.  D 100  00 

Gardner,  Sylvester,  Sennett,  N.  Y.,  on 

accountof  L.  M 5  00 

Garrett,    Col.   E.,  Garrettsville,  Ohio, 

don 1  00 

Gibbs,  Theron  Z.,  N.  Granville,  N.  Y., 

on  account  of  L.M 5  00 

Greaves.  Amos,  Homer,   Cortland  Co., 

N.Y.,   on  account  of  L.M 5  00 

Gregory,  Isaac,  Rockland,  Me don.      4  00 

Hart,  Mrs.  Melinda  J.,  Covington,  Ky. 

don 1  00 

Hawthorn,  Daniel,  Woolwich,  Me.,  don.  75 

Hawthorn,  Hartly,  50 

Hayden,  Mrs.  Jerusha,  Esse.x,  Conn.,  to 

constitnte  Hugh  M.  Thompson,  Es- 
sex, an  L.  D 100  00 

Hazen,  Cyrus,  Sharon,  Ohio don.       1  00 

Healy,  Ebenezer,  Sennett,  N.Y.— L.M.  30  00 
Hewins,  Seth,  Garrettsville,  Ohio,  don.       1  00 

Hewiiis,  Leavctt,  1  00 

Hewins,  Leavett,  jr., 5  00 

Hicks,  Thos.,  S.  Tliomaston,  Me.,  don.  1  00 
Hillman,  Wni ,  Now  York,  to  constitute 

Rev.  S.  H.Cone,  D.D— L.  D 100  00 

Hillman,  Samuel  T.,  New  York— L.  M..  .30  00 
Hunt,  Wilson  G.,  New  York— L.  D....  100  00 
Ingraham,  Henry,  Rockland,  Me.,  don.  1  00 
Inirahani,  Bernard,  ..  ..  09 

James,  Edwin,  Albany,  N.Y.—L.D....  100  00 
Jenkvns,  Mrs.  Susannah,   New  York — 

L.M 30  00 

Judd,  Rev.  O.  B.,  New  York— L.  D. ...  100  00 

Kellev,  Eli,  New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Kelley,  Mrs.  Eli,  Now  York— L.D 100  00 

Kclley,  Frederick,  New  York— L.  D. ..  100  00 
Kelley,  Robert  W.,  New  York— L.  D..  lOO  00 
Kelley,  Mrs.  R.  W..  New  York— L.  D..  100  00 

Kelly,  Samuel  R.,  Brooklyn,— L.  M 30  00 

Kelly,  Mrs.  S.  R.,  Brooklyn— L.  M 30  00  1 


Kelly,  Samuel  R.,  to  constitute  E.  H. 
Tripp,  Mrs.  E.  H.  Tripp,   and  Miss 

Tripp,  L.  M's 90  00 

Kelly,  Sister,  Ravanna,  Ohio 25 

Lamonte,  Chas.  A.,  New  York— L.  D..  100  00 
Lamzed,  John,  (a  British  Sailor)  Dart- 
mouth, England— L.M 30  00 

Leonard,  Thos.  O.,  Woolwich,  Me.,  don.  50 

Leonard,  W.  D.        ..             ..             ..  50 

Lewis,  Richard  B.,  New  York— L.  D..,  100  00 

Little,  Edwin,    Granville,  N.  Y....don.  50 

Lockwood,  Oliver,   New  York,  on  ac- 
count of  L.M 10  00 

Loomis,  Aaron,   Granville,  N.Y...don.  25 

McBrair,  Robert,  Brooklyn— L.  M 30  00 

McBrair,  Mrs.  Jane,  Brooklyn— L.  M..  30  00 

Macla3',  Rev.  A.,  D.D.,  NewYork— L.D.  100  00 

Macdonald  Alexander,New  York — L.M.  30  00 

Mann,  Maria  L.,  Granville,  N.Y...don.  50 

Marsh,  Rev.  Geo.  L.,  New  York— L.M.  30  00 
Maryatt,  David  P.,  Harford,   Cortland 

Co.,  N.Y.,  on  account  of  L.  M 5  00 

Mason,  Rev.  E.,  Sennett  P.  O.,  N.  Y.,  on 

account  of  L.  M 5  00 

Mason,  Elvina,  Granville,  N.  Y don.  I  00 

Mason,  Chas.  L.,             50 

Mattocks,  Miss  Maria,  New  York— L.D.  100  00 

Middleton,  Betsey,  Granville,  N.  Y.  don.  50 
Millar,  Mrs.  Dorcas,  Rochester,  N.  Y., 

on  account  of  L.  M 5  00 

Millard.  S.  S.,  Penfield,  N.Y.,  on  account 

of  L.  M 5  00 

Mills,  J.  Doremus,  New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Mills,  S.  Augustus,  New  York— L.D. .  100  00 

Misplee,  Mrs.  Sophia,  New  York— L.M.  30  00 

Morris,  Lucien  B.,  New  York — L.  M...  30  00 

Morse,  Harlow,  Rnckland,  Me don.  1  00 

Munroe,   John,  Elbridge,  N.  Y.— L.  M.  30  00 

NichoU,  Saml.,  New  York— L.M 30  00 

NicholI,Mrs.  Saml.,  New  York— I,.  M.  30  00 

Noble,  Rosweli,  Granville,  N.Y don.  1  00 

Noble,  Solomon,             ..           ..          .,  50 

Noble,  Orrin,                  50 

Ovet,  Nathaniel,  Ritchfield,  Ohio,  don..  10  00 

Otis,  Sardis,  Granville,  N.  Y don.  1  00 

Parker,  James,  New  York— L.  M 30  00 

Parmly,  Eleazer,  New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Parsons,  Elijah,  Sennett  P.  0.,N.Y.,  on 

account  of  L.  M '. 5  09 

Partridge,  Rev.  Warren,  Ohio don.  1  00 

Peck,  Albert  L.,  New  York— L.M 30  00 

Pier,  Sylvester,  New  York— L.M 30  00 

Piatt,  Miss  Margaret,  New  York.  ..don.  3  00 

Postlej',  Chas.,  New  York— L.M 30  00 

Postley,  Sam.  Brooke,  New  York— L.M.  30  00 

Preble,  H.,  Woolwich,  Me don.  50 

Randolph,  Peter,  New  York— L.  M 30  00 

Reed,  Miars  and  family,  Woolwich,  Me. 

don 1  00 

Rhoades,   Betsey  E.,  Granville,  N.  Y., 

don 2  00 

Robbins,  Wm.,  Granville,  N.Y don.  58 

Roublee,  Thomas,  Granville,  N.  Y.,  on 

account  of  L  M 5  00 

Runyon,  M.  T.,  Now  York— L.  M 30  00 

Sanders,  Martin,     Cortland,    Cortland 

Co.,  N.  Y.,  CD  account  of  L.  M 5  00 

5 


36 


FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 


Sanford,  Miss  Lydia,  New  York.  ..don.  5  00 
Savage,  Eleazer,  Granville,  K.Y...don.  1  00 
Savage,  Lucy  M.,  N.  Granville,  N.  Y., 

on  account  of  L.  M 3  00 

Serrell,  John  J.,  New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Seymour,  Miss  Eliza  B.,  New  York — 

L.D 100  00 

Shaw,  Jas.M.,   New  York— L.  D 100  00 

Simpkins,  W.,  Orangeville,  Ohio,   don.      1  00 

Smith,  Edward,  New  York— L.D 100  00 

Smith,  Mrs.  Edward,  New  York— L.  M.  30  00 
Smith,   Elder  A.,  Athens,   Tennessee, 

Sept.  25— L.M 30  00 

Oct.  1— L.M 30  00 

Smith,  John  J.,  New  York— L.M 30  00 

Smith,  Rev.  Aniasa,  Skaneateles,  N.  Y., 

L.M 30  00 

Smith,  Eli  C,  N.  Granville,  N.  Y.,  on  ac- 

countofL.M; 2  00 

Smith,  John  L.,  Middle  Granville,  N.Y., 

don 1  00 

Smith,  Susan  A.,  Granville,  N.  Y.,  don..  50 

Somerville,  James,  New   York,  on  ac- 

countofL.M 10  00 

Stevens,  Agrippa,  Whitehall,  N.  Y.,  on 

accountofL.M 2  00 

Stinson,  Miss  S.,  Woolwich,  Me.,  col- 
lected by  her 57 

Stowell,    Deacon,  Garrettsville,   Ohio, 

don 1  00 

Syms,  Samuel  R.,  New  York— L.D 100  00 


Swaim,  Hon.  Thomas,  Pemberton,  N.  J., 
—L.D 100  0 

Taylor,  Jeremiah  B.,  New  York— L.M.     30  00 

Thomas,  Griffith,  New  York— L.D 100  00 

Thomas,  Thomas,  New  York— L.D 100  00 

Townsend,  Jas.  H.,  N.  Y.,— L.M 30  00 

"  "  "  to  constitute 

Rev.A.C.  Wheat,  L.M 30  00 

Treasurer   of  the  late  Laurens-st.  ch., 

per  Geo.  F.  Hovey don.     13  39 

Turneure,  A.,  New  York,  to  constitute 

Miss  Eliza  Turneure,  L.M 30  00 

Valentine,  A.  W.,  Weedsport,  N.  Y.,  on 

accountofL.M 5  00 

Warn,  John,  Sennett,  N.Y.,  on  account 

of  L.M 5  00 

Waterbury,    Miss   Martha,  New  York, 

on  account  of  L.M 5  00 

Wells,  J.  B.,  Williamsburgh— L.M 30  00 

Wheeler,  Aurelius,   Auburn,  N.  Y.,  on 

account  of  L.M 5  00 

Winter,   Rev.   John,  Massillou,    Ohio, 

on  account  of  L.M 10  00 

Wilson,  P.  F.,  Weedsport,  N.  Y.,  on  ac- 
count of  L.M 5  00 

Wilson,  Wm.,  Garrettsville,  Ohio,  don.      1  12 

Wood,  J.  W.,  Salem,  Ohio don.      1  00 

WyckofF,  Rev.  C.  P.,  Weedsport,  N.  Y., 

on  account  of  L.M 5  00 

Wyckoff,  W.  H.,  Brooklyn,  N.Y.— L.D.  100  00 


THE    LIBRARY, 


The  necessity  of  a  good  Library  for  the  use  of  the  Board,  and  especially 
of  the  OflBcers  and  of  the  Committee  on  Versions,  is  apparent.  But  we  do 
not  feel  at  liberty  to  use  the  funds  of  the  Union  for  the  purpose  of  purchas- 
ing books.  We  earnestly  request,  therefore,  that  every  friend  of  the  Union 
who  has  a  valuable  book  which  he  can  spare,  will  contribute  it  to  the  Li- 
brary. There  is  special  need  of  books  of  reference,  biblical,  historical,  and 
geographical,  old  editions  of  the  Bible  or  New  Testament,  Versions  in 
Foreign  Languages,  Corrected  Versions,  Commentaries,  and  of  every  thing 
that  may  throw  light  upon  the  history  of  Versions,  or  upon  the  faults  of  the 
English  Version,  and  show  the  necessity  of  their  correction. 


BIBLICAL   LIBRARY 


AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNIOJNf. 


COMMBNOED   JTJLT    3,  1850. 


Presented  by  Spencer  H.  Cone. 

English  Bible,  by  the  American  Bible  Society,  2  vols,  royal 
8vo.,  calf. New  York,  1841 

Testament  and  Psalms,  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  1  vol.,  Svo.,  morocco.       .         .     New  York,  1849 

History  of  Baptist  Indian  Missions,  by  Rev.  Isaac  McCoy,  1 
vol.  8vo.,  cloth.     .....  Washington,  1840 

English  Bible,  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
1  vol.,  12mo.  sheep,  (from  Imprint  of  Robert  Barker,  Lon- 
don, 1611) New  York,  1846 

English  Bible,  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
1  vol.  12mo.,  sheep New  York,  1848 

The  Gospel  of  Matthew,  in  Chinese,  with  notes,  by  Wm. 
Dean.  ......  Hong  Kong,  1848 

The  Holy  Bible,  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Soci- 
ety, in  2  vols.,  8vo,  sheep,  interlea\ed  with  writing  paper. 

New  York,  1844 

Le  Nouveau  Testament,  by  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  1  vol.  12mo.,  morocco.      .         .  New  York,  1848 

Vetus  Teslamentum  Graecum,  by  the  Seventy  Translators, 
corrected  by  an  original  copy  in  the  Vatican  at  Rome,  by 
Leander  Van  Ess,  D.D.,  1  vol.  8vo.,  half-bound. 

Leipsic,  1824 

Bibha  Hebraica,  by  Edward  Van  Der  Hooght,  V.D.M.,  re- 
vised and  corrected  by  Judah  D'Alleraand,  in  2  vols.  8vo. 

half-bd London,  1833 

37 


38  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

Greek  and  Latin  Lexicon  for  the  New  Testament,  by  Chas. 

Gottlieb  Bretschneider,  2nd  edn.,  corrected  and  increased, 

complete  in  1  vol.  8vo.,  half-bound.      .  Leipsic,  1829 

The  New  Testament,  in  Ancient  and  Modern  Greek,  in  pa- 
rallel columns,  by  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 

1  vol.  Svo.,  sheep.  ....     London,  1829 

The  New  Testament,  in  Armenian,  1  vol.  Svo.,  sheep,  printed 

for  the  Am.  &  For.  Bible  Society  at  Calcutta.  1839 

The  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  in  Chinese,  by  Wm.  Dean.  1849 
Truth  and  Error  Contrasted,  in  Chinese,  by  Wm.  Dean.  1844 
Hebrew  Grammar  and  Lexicon,  by  C.  F.  Frey,  1  vol.  8vo., 

calf,  bd.,  10th  edition London,  1839 

Sermons  and  Tracts,  by  John  Gill,  D.D.,  2  vols.  4to.,  calf, 

bd. London,  1773 

The  History  of  the  Christian  Church,  by  Wm.  Jones,  2  vols. 

Svo.,  calf,  bd New  York,  1824 

Patent  Office  Report,  for  1847,  1  vol.  Svo.,  cloth, 

Washington,  1848 
New  York  Association  Minutes,  from  1816  to  1843,  in  1  vol., 

calf,  bd. 
Baptist  General  Convention  Reports,  in  2  vols.,  half-bound, 

vol.  1,  from  1814  to  1831  ;  vol.  2,  from  1832  to  1846. 
American   and   Foreign   Bible   Society's   Reports,    1836  to 

1847,  1  vol.,  half-bound. 
The  Religious  Sects  of  the  Hindus,  by  H.  H.  Wilson,  LL.D. 

1  vol.  Svo.,  boards.  ....    Calcutta,  1846 

Indian  Church  History,  by  Thos.  Yeates,  1  vol.  Svo.,  boards. 

London,  1818 
Twelve  vols.  Tracts  on  Various  Subjects,  Svo.,  sheep. 
Exegetical  Essays  on  Words  relating  to  Future  Punishments, 

by  Moses  Stuart,  1  vol.  12mo.,  boards.         Andover,  1830 
The  Baptist  Magazine  for  1849,  in  numbers.     London,  1849 

Presented  by  G.  P.  Putnam,  per  S.  H.  Cone, 

The  Monuments  of  Egypt  a  witness  for  the  Bible,  by  Dr. 
Francis  Hawks,  1  vol.  Svo.,  cloth.         .     New  York,  1850 


BIBLICAL    LIBRARY.  39 

Nineveh  and  its  Remains,  by  Austen  H.   Layard,  2   vols. 
8vo.,  cloth. New  York,  1849 

Presented  by  Harper  ^  Brothers,  per  S.  H.  Cone. 
The  Works  of  Robert  Hall,  4  vols.  Svo.  bd.  New  York,  1849 

Presented  by  Holman  ^''  Gray. 
The  New  York  Chronicle,  for  1849,  1  vol.,  half-bound. 
The  Christian  Review,  for  1850. 

Presented  by  Sylvester  Pier. 
The  Newspaper  Controversy  about  a  Corrected  Version  of 

the  English  Scriptures,  3  vols.,  half-bound.  1850 

The  Hebrew  Messenger,  for  1846  and  1847,  by  C.  F.  Frey, 

1  vol.  8vo.,  half-bound.         ....     New  York. 

Presented  by  Mrs.  Eli  Kelley,  per  S.  H.  Cone. 

The  Biblical  Student's  Assistant,  by  Clericus,  1  vol.  8vo.,  cl. 

Edinburgh,  1844 

Hard  Bible  Words  made  Easy,  1  vol.  8vo.  cl.  London,  1844 

Life  and  Labors  of  Dr.  Morrison,  by  his  Widow,  2  vols.  8vo., 
cloth London,  1839 

The  Correspondence  of  Wm.  Cooper,  1  vol.  8vo.,  bd.,  calf. 

Philadelphia,  1824 

Luther's  Commentary  on  Paul's  Epistle  to  the  Galatians,   1 
vol.  8vo.,  bd.,  calf.         .         .         .         Philadelphia,  1801 

Lectures  on  the  Epistle  of  Paul  to  the  Romans,  by  Dr.  Chal- 
mers, 1  vol.  8vo.,  boards      .         .         .     New  York,  1843 

An  Exposition   of  the  Apocalypse,  by  David    N.  Lord,  1 
vol.  Svo.,  cloth New  York,  1847 

Le  Nouveau  Testament,  by  American  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  1  vol.  12mo.,  sheep.         .         .     New  York,  1848 

Enghsh  Testament,  by  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
1  vol.  32mo.,  cloth.       .         .         .         .     New  York,  1846 

Sacred  Geography,  by  Warren  Cochran,  1  yo\.  4to. 

New  York,  1846 

Presented  by  Miss  'Eliza  B.  Seymour,  per  S.  H.  Cone. 
The  Englishman's  Greek  Concordance,  by  G.  V.  Wigram, 
1  vol.  royal  8vo.,  sheep.       .         .         .     New  York,  1848 


40  FIRST    ANNUAL    REPORT. 

Analecta  Theologica,  by  Wm.  Trollope,  2  vols.  8vo.,  the  2 
vols,  bound  together,  russia.      .          .  .     London,  1842 

A  new  Literal  Translation  of  the  Apostolical  Epistles,  by 
James  Macknight,  1  vol.  Svo.,  bd.  Philadelphia,  1835 

Reports  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  in  2 
vols.,  half-bound,  vol.  1,  from  1836  to  1843  ;  vol.  2,  from 
1844  to  1849. 

Correspondence  and  Miscellanies  of  the  Hon.  John  Cotton 
Smith,  late  President  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  by 
Wm.  W.  Andrews,  1  vol.  12mo.,  cl.  New  York,  1847 

Presented  by  Wilson  G.Hunt,  Esq., 2>er  S.  H.  Cone. 
The  English  Hexapla,  by  Samuel  Bagster  and  Sons,  1  vol. 
4to,  russia,  bd.  .....     London,  1841 

Presented  by  Mrs.  Robt.  W.  KeUey,per  S.  H.  Cone. 
The  Baptist  Library,  in  3  vols.,  8vo.  cl.         New  York,  1843 
Christian  Researches  in  Asia,  by  Claudius  Buchanan,  1  vol., 
8vo.,    boards.  ....         London,    1819 

History  of  American  Baptist  Missions,  by  Wm.  Gammell,  1 
vol.  12mo.,  cloth.  ....         Boston,  1849 

The  Knowledge  of  Jesus,  by  Alex.  Carson,  1  vol.  12mo.,  cl. 

New  York,  1850 

Presented  by  Mrs.  Hester  Robinson,  per  S.  H  Cone. 
Collections  of  the  New  York  Historical  Society,  in  2  books, 

embracing  4  vols.  8vo.,  bound.  N.  Y.,  1811  to  1826 

New  Testament,  by  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 

from  the  imprint  of  Robt.  Barker,  London,  1611,  1  vol. 

8vo.,  bound New  York,  1840 

A  New  Translation  and  Exposition  of  the  Book  of  Job,  by 

John  Fry,  1  vol.  8vo.,  cloth.  .         .         London,  1827 

Travels  in  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  by  Edward  Dan.  Clarke, 

1  vol.  8vo.,  bound.  .  .  .  Philadelphia,  1811 
Life  of  Sir  Wm.  Jones,  1  vol.  8vo.  calf.  Philadelphia,  1805 
Theological  Tracts  of  Rev.  John  Brine,  1  vol.  8vo.,  calf. 

London,  1766 


BIBLICAL   LIBRARY.  41 

National  Religion,  by  Rev.  R.  Skittler,  1  vol.  12mo.  cloth. 

London,  1838 
Presented  hy  Wm.  H.  Wychoff. 
Thesaurus  Linguae  Latinge,  byjlobt.  Stephens,  4  vols,  fol.,  bd. 

London,  1734 

Biblia  Sacra,  cum  duplicitranslatione  et  scholiis  Francisci 

Vatabuli,  &c.,  2  vols.  4to,  parchment.       Salamanca,  15S4 

The  History  of  Baptism,  by  R.  Robinson,  1  vol.  4to.,  half-bd. 

London,  1790 
Universal  Gazetteer,  by  R.  Brooks,  1.  vol.  8vo.,  bound. 

Philadelphia,  1804 

Presented  hy  Wm.  Weeden,  EUzabethport,  N.J. , per  S.  H.  Cone. 
Charges  on  Moral  and  Rehgious  Subjects,  by  lion.  Jacob 

Rush,  1  vol.  ]6mo.,  bound          .  Philadelphia,  1804 

Familiar    Dialogues    on     Shakerism,    by    Fayette    Mace, 

pamphlet,  16mo.,  covers.  .         .         .  Portland,  1838 

Presented  hy  William  Leivis,  per  S.  H.  Cone. 
An  Institution  of  General  History,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world  to  the  time  of  Constantino  the  Great,  by  Wm.  How- 
ell, 1  vol.  fol.,  bd.  ....     London,  1G61 

Presented  hy  J.  Francis,  M.D.,  per  S.  H.  Cone. 
The  Aged  Christian's  Cabinet,  by  Rev.  John  Stanford,  D.D. 

1  vol.  8 vo.,  half-bound.         .         .         .     New  York,  1829 
The  Complete  Works  of  Henry  Kirke   White,  by  Robert 

Southey,  LL.D.,  1  vol.  8vo.,  half-bd.  '    Boston,  1829 

The  New  Testament,  1  vol.  royal  8vo.,  bd.,  by  the  American 

Bible  Society.  ....       New  York,  1840 

Presented  hy  a  Frie?id,  per  S.  H.   Cone. 
Dr.  Wayland's  Elements  of  Moral  Science,  1  vol.  8vo.  cloth. 

New  York,  1835 

Greek  and  English  Lexicon,  by  J.  H.  Bass,  1  vol.  18mo. 

cloth.  .         .         .         .  .         .         London,  1829 


MEETING  OF  TEE  BOARD  OF  MANAGERS. 


Friday,  Oct.  4th,  1850. 

The  new  Board  met  at  the  Society's  Rooms,  at  four  o'clock,  P.M.  The 
President  in  the  chair. 

Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  James  Belcher. 

The  following  By-Laws  and  Ordar  of  Business  were  adopted,  and  Stand- 
ing Committees  appointed. 

BY-LAWS. 

1.  All  meetings  shall  be  opened  by  reading  a  portion  of  the  Word  of  God 
and  prayer. 

2.  All  Committees  shall  be  nominated  by  the  presiding  oflBcer,  and  ap- 
proved by  the  Board,  unless  otherwise  specially  ordered. 

3.  No  moneys  shall  be  paid  out  of  the  treasury  but  by  order  of  the 
Board. 

4.  All  resolutions,  if  required,  shall  be  presented  in  writing. 


ORDER    OF   BUSINESS. 


1.  Reading  Minutes  of  last  meeting. 

2.  Treasurer's  Report. 

3.  Communications  of  Cor.  Secretary. 


4  Reports  of  Standing  Committees. 

5.  Reports  of  Select  Committees. 

6.  Unfinished  Business. 


7.  New  business. 


STANDING   COMMITTEES. 


Publication  and  Finance. 

1.  Eleazer  Parmly, 

2.  Sylvester  Pier, 

3.  James  H.  Townsend, 

4.  Samuel  R.  Kelly, 

5.  Geo.  W.  Abbe. 


Agencies. 

1.  H.  J.  Eddy, 

2.  Stephen  Remington, 

3.  A.  C.  Wheat, 

4.  W.  S.  Clapp, 

5.  S.  S.  Relyea. 


On  Versions. 


1.  Spencer  H.  Cone, 

2.  Geo.  W.  Eaton, 

3.  W.  C.  Duncan, 

4.  Thomas  Armitage. 


5.  Wm.  Norton, 

6.  .James  Shannon, 

7.  Orrin  B.  Judd, 

8.  John  W.  Sarles. 


9.  Wm.  H.  Wyckoff. 

Legacies. 
1.  Wm.  Colgate,  |      2.  Wm.  D.  Murphy,  |      3.  John  B.  WeUs. 

Ldhrary. 
1.  Sylvester  Pier,         |      2.  Wm.  H.  Wyckoff,        |      3.  E.  S.  Whitney. 


STATED  MEETINGS  OF  THE  BOARD. 

The  Board  of  Managers  of  the  American  Bible  Union  hold  their  stated 
meetings  on  i\i(i  first  Wednesday  of  every  mouth  at  the  Society's  Rooms,  at 
four  o'clock,  P.  M. 

42 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  STEPHEN  REMINGTON, 

PA8T0B     or     THE    STANTON     STREET     BAPTIST     CHURCH,    NEW    YORK. 


Mr.  President  : — I  rise  to  move  the  8/;ceptaiice  of  the  First  Annual 
Report  of  the  American  Bible  Union,  and  that  it  be  printed  and  circulated 
by  the  Board  of  managers. 

The  Bible  being  a  Revelation  of  the  will  of  God  to  man,  of  all  other  books 
should  interest  us  the  most.  In  this  sacred  volume  we  "have  the  mind  and 
will  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  contains  all  that  is  necessary  to  our  faith  and 
practice — all  that  is  necessary  by  which  to  furnish  the  believer  with  the 
reason  of  the  hope  that  is  within  him — aU  that  is  necessary  by  which  to 
comfort  and  establish  him  in  his  way  to  a  better  world — aU  that  is  necessary 
to  inspire  his  hope  of  immortality  and  eternal  life. 

But  it  should  be  remembered  that  "  God  who  at  sundry  times  and  in 
divers  manners  spake  in  time  past  unto  the  fathers  by  the  prophets,  hath  in 
these  last  days  spoken  unto  us  by  his  Son,"  and  his  inspired  Apostles ;  and 
that  he  spoke  to  them  in  a  language  which  they  understood,  which  they 
recorded  in  Hebrew  and  Greek.  But  we  are  neither  Hebrews  nor  Greeks, 
and  yet  the  Bible  is  for  us.  It  belongs  unto  us  and  our  children,  and  we 
ought  to  be  able  to  read  it  for  ourselves,  and  teach  its  glorious  trutlis  to  our 
children.  Here  we  have  the  words  of  eternal  life,  which  words,  in  the  hands 
of  the  Spirit,  are  the  appointed  means  of  our  salvation. 

In  view  of  these  facts,  need  we  be  surprised  that  Satan  should  be  offended 
at  any  effort  to  bring  out  the  truth  1  and  that  he  employs  all  the  influence 
he  can  command  to  hold  it  back  ?  Is  it  wonderful  that  this  common  adver- 
sary of  God  and  man,  knowing  as  he  does  that  the  word  of  truth  is  the 
mighty  lever  in  the  hands  of  God  by  which  his  kingdom  is  to  be  ultimately 
demolished,  should  make  his  most  mighty  effort  to  prevent  its  promulga- 
tion— should  set  every  possible  agency  at  work  that  he  can  employ — spit 
out  floods  of  venom — employ  bad  men,  and  even  good  men,  as  auxiliaries, 
if  not  to  cut  oflf  the  streams  of  Divine  truth  from  flowing  out  to  the  world, 
at  least  to  have  them  go  forth  corrupted  by  human  imperfections,  so  that 
they  may  be  the  less  efficacious. 


2  APPENDIX. 

Satan  has  forethought.  His  kingdom  was  not  fully  organized  until  in  the 
commencement  of  the  seventh  century,  when  the  Bishop  of  Rome  was  de- 
clared universal  head  of  the  church. 

A  leading  feature  in  his  kingdom  then  was  to  dam  up  the  fountain  of 
truth,  and  to  chain  the  Bible,  so  that  the  common  people  could  Aot  have 
access  to  it.  This  dam  lasted  between  seven  and  eight  hundred  years,  when 
Wickliff  dared  to  pull  out  a  stone  by  translating  the  Scriptures  into  English. 
It  was  a  small  breach  in  the  wall — a  few  copies  in  MS. — but  when  this  good 
man  was  dead  and  in  Heaven,  it  was  printed  and  circulated. 

Though  Wicldiff  escaped  martyrdom  in  life,  yet  after  death  the  enemies 
of  the  Bible  disturbed  the  repose  of  his  body,  and  burned  his  bones.  Still 
the  work  went  on,  and  in  connection  with  our  English  versions  of  the  Holy 
Scriptures  we  have  the  illustrious  names  of  Tindal.  John  Rogers,  Cranmer, 
and  Latimore,  of  blessed  memojy,  each  of  whom  were  burned  at  the  stake 
for  their  tidelity  for  the  truth,  and  now  wear  a  martyr's  crown  on  high. 

The  last  and  most  perfect  edition  of  this  blessed  volume  in  the  English 
language  is  the  one  now  in  circulation — commonly  called  King  James's  ver- 
sion.    And  need  I  say  I  venerate  it  ?    I  love 

"  That  old  fashioned  Bible,  that  dear  blessed  Bible, 
The  Family  Bible  that  lay  on  the  stand." 

Why  should  I  not  love  it  ?  It  was  the  means  of  my  conversion  to  God. 
Millions  in  Heaven,  and  millions  more  on  the  way  to  that  happy  land,  will 
forever  praise  God  for  it.  Essential  truth  is  herein  contained,  and  as  a 
whole  it  fully  answers  the  inquiry  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ? 

But  still  it  is  not  perfect.  On  this  point  there  is  scarcely  any  controversy. 
I  need  not  reiterate  what  the  learned  have  stated  as  to  the  errors  in  trans- 
lation, obsolete  words,  and  bad  gi-ammar  ;  all  this  is  before  us. 

What,  then,  is  our  work  ?  Is  it  to  give  an  improved  edition  of  God's 
word  to  the  world  1  No — verily.  That  version  needs  no  correction.  It  is 
perfect.  It  is  what  is  called  King  James's  version  of  the  Bible  that  we 
would  have  corrected,  not  God's  version. 

In  the  prosecution  of  this  work,  we  must  begin  at  the  foundation.  We 
must  have  a  standjird — a  pure  version  of  the  original.  And  this  must  be 
decided  upon  by  great  labor  and  research  on  the  part  of  our  best  philological 
and  biblical  scholars. 

The  standard  once  decided  upon  is  to  be  not  for  the  English  language 
alone,  but  for  all  languages.  Our  Burman,  German,  Italian.  French,  &c., 
as  well  as  English  Bibles,  must  be  tested  by  it.  Hence  it  will  be  perceived 
why  the  "Union"  covers  so  much  ground — Foreign  as  well  as  English.  Our 
work  is  to  procure  God's  truth  pure  and  ungarbled,  and  such  a  Bible  for 
the  world.     And  is  not  this  a  glorious  work — the  greatest  of  the  age  ? 

I  am  aware  that  it  has  been  inquired,  "  Who  are  at  the  head  of  this  move- 
ment ?"  and  that  it  has  been  responded,  "  Boys  and  striplings."  Suppose 
it  to  be  so  ;  we  shall  as  surely  succeed  as  did  the  fishermen  of  Galilee. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  STEPHEN  REMINGTON.         3 

God  often  accomplishes  great  things  from  small  beginnings,  and  His  most 
efficient  work  is  done  when  his  servants  and  instrumentalities  are  hidden 
behind  him.  What,  venerable  President,  if  we  are  but  boys  and  striplings  ? 
Is  our  God  too  fearful  to  come  out  for  the  whole  truth,  unless  a  mighty 
force  raUy  to  his  standard  1  Our  "  God  is  a  man  of  war."  Gideon's  feeble 
band,  headed  by  Him,  made  destruction  in  the  camp  of  Midian ;  and  the 
sound  of  rams'  horns,  by  our  God  were  sufficient  to  make  the  towering 
walls  of  old  Jericho  faU  tumbling  to  the  ground.  Let  us  then  fear  not,  but 
be  valiant  for  the  truth.  In  this  we  are  sure  that  we  are  right ;  let  us 
therefore  confidently  go  forward. 

I  beg  of  you  the  privilege,  before  I  sit  down,  Mr.  President,  and  the  indul- 
gence of  this  audience,  to  state,  and  very  briefly  attempt  to  obviate,  some  of 
the  objections  which  I  have  frequently  heard  urged  against  the  "  Bible  Union." 

1.  I  have  heard  a  few  declare  that  there  is  no  necessity  for  a  new  version 
of  the  English  Scriptures.  But  generally  such  a  statement  has  not  been 
made  with  deliberation.  Men  wUl  say  tilings  when  excited  that  they  will 
not  repeat  in  their  more  sober  moments.  To  such  I  would  say,  it  seems 
that  King  James's  version  was  not  good  enough  for  the  heathen,  and  there- 
fore it  is  not  good  enough  for  us,  if  a  better  version  can  be  ©'btained.  Do 
we  not  need  as  perfect  a  version  of  the  Scriptures  as  the  heathen  ?  Why 
not  ?  Are  there  not  as  many  of  us  ?  Is  the  English  language  dying  out 
of  the  world  ?  Is  it  not  spreading,  and  have  we  not  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  it  is  destined  to  be  the  leading  language  of  earth  ?  It  is  the  com- 
mercial language  of  the  greater  part  of  the  world  already  ;  and  as  commerce, 
civilization,  and  the  Gospel  spread,  the  Enghsh  language  must  and  will  go 
with  them.  In  the  original,  God  made  the  family  of  man  to  be  one  common 
brotherhood,  all  speaking  one  language  ;  but  sin  broke  up  this  brotherhood, 
divided  this  happy  family,  and  confounded  their  language.  The  Gospel  is 
destined  to  harmonize  the  race — bring  them  together  again  in  one  common 
brotherhood — and  back  to  one  language.  And  what  language  will  that  be  ? 
The  signs  of  the  times  clearly  indicate  that  it  will  be  our  own  English 
tongue.  If  so,  is  it  not  even  more  important  that  the  English  translation 
should,  if  possible,  be  more  perfect  than  any  other  7     So  it  appears  to  me. 

2.  Another  objection  which  I  have  heard  stated  is,  that  though  a  new 
version  of  the  English  Scriptures  is  of  acknowledged  importance,  yet,  Bap- 
tists ought  not  to  lead  in  this  noble  enterprise.  If  they  do,  it  will  be  called 
a  Baptist  Bible.  They  will  translate  the  Greek'  word  haptizo  and  call  it 
immerse,  and  though  the  learned  say  that  it  means  immerse,  and  nothing 
else,  yet  it  is  not  prudent  to  say  so ;  besides,  it  is  an  older  word  than 
immerse,  and  therefore  must  have  the  preference. 

In  my  '•  Reasons  for  becoming  a  Baptist,"  I  state  that  by  careful  examina- 
tion of  the  word  haptizo,  and  the  testimony  of  the  learned,  I  became  fully 
convinced  that  it  meant  immerse,  and  nothing  else.  This  conviction  made 
me  a  Baptist.    Was  I  right  ? 


4  APPENDIX. 

o.  It  is  not  the  time  for  a  new  version  of  the  English  Scriptures, — I  have 
heard  it  repeatedly  remarked  by  objectors  ; — wait,  say  they,  until  all  evan- 
gelical denominations  can  harmonize,  then  go  at  it. 

Harmonize !  I  ask,  how  can  they  harmonize  unless  they  unite  in  the 
truth  ?  There  is  a  controversy  between  us.  How  can  it  be  settled  ?  God's 
word  must  settle  it.  Let  us  hear  what  He  says.  Let  the  Bible,  every  word 
of  it,  be  translated ;  and  if  it  be  a  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Episcopahan,  Meth- 
odist, or  even  a  Quaker  Bible,  so  let  it  be.  Only  let  us  have  the  truth — the 
whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth — and  we  will  abide  consequences. 

4.  But  we  are  afraid  you  will  make  infidels.  Infidels  have  already  ap- 
plauded you. 

To  this  I  would  reply :  Satan  has  more  than  once  applauded  God's  ser- 
vants in  order  to  bring  them  into  disrepute.  It  was  truth  when  he  bore 
testimony  that  "  these  men  are  the  servants  of  the  most  high  God,  who 
show  unto  us  the  way  of  salvation."  But  when  the  demon  was  expelled, 
these  "  servants  of  the  most  high  God "  were  thrust  into  prison. 

So  let  us  wait  and  see  if  infidels  will  applaud  us  when  the  sword  of  the 
Spirit  is  fully  unsheathed  from  the  orfginal  languages,  and  from  the  errors 
of  men.  Let  us  see  if  it  will  not  become  the  sharper  and  the  more  pointed 
thereby — and  the  more  mighty  in  puUing  down  the  strong  holds  of  Satan's 
kingdom. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  JAMES  BELCHER,^ 

OF    ELLSWORTH,     MAINE. 


Rev.  J.  Belcher,  in  rising  to  second  the  motion  to  adopt  the  Report, 
said  that  he  felt  that  at  this  late  hour  of  the  afternoon,  it  would  be  a  mark 
of  wisdom  not  to  attempt  to  add  much  to  what  had  been  well  said.  He 
wished,  however,  to  intrude  a  very  little  plain  talk  from  Maine.  He  regarded 
the  organization  of  a  society  for  the  circulation  of  the  Word  of  God,  under 
any  auspices,  as  a  great  fact,  affecting  the  immortal  interests  of  millions  of 
our  race ;  but  he  viewed  the  institution  of  the  Bible  Union,  as  the  greatest 
fact  in  the  history  of  the  world,  and  of  the  church  of  the  present  century. 
The  fundamental  principle  of  the  Bible  Union  was  one  that  should  commend 
itself  to  the  heart  of  every  Christian  believer,  every  lover  of  the  revealed 


*  We  have  been  disappointed  in  not  receiving  the  Address  of  brother  Belcher,  which  he 
promised  to  write  out  and  forward  to  us.  As  further  delay  would  detain  the  Annual  Report  from 
the  press,  we  are  obliged  to  substitute  for  the  Address  itself,  thn  above  abstract  which  appeared 
in  one  of  the  secular  papers  of  this  city. — Cob.  Sec. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  JAMES  BELCHER.  5 

"Will  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  The  necessity  of  giving  a  more  faithful  transcript 
of  this  Will  was  proved  by  the  many  difficulties  that  surrounded  the  path 
of  the  Biblical  student.  The  people  had  experienced  this  difficulty,  and  the 
ministry  acknowledged  it,  again  and  again,  in  the  necessity  imposed  upon 
them  to  explain  ambiguous  phrases,  and  re-translate  many  passages  that  in 
the  common  version  are  equivocal. 

The  question  seemed  very  naturally  to  arise,  if  a  revision  of  the  Scriptures 
is  on  aU  hands  allowed  to  be  necessary  in  order  to  perspicuity,  is  it  not  the 
duty  of  the  Christian  church  to  supply  the  demand  ?  Is  it  not  right  to 
throw  open  the  sacred  oracles,  or  to  refuse  to  lift  that  veil  when  opportunity 
offers  ?  It  is  acknowledged  by  some  that  a  revision  is  needed,  but  they 
urge  that  it  is  '•  not  expedient."  Now,  he  believed,  that  the  word  expedi- 
ency should  not  be  found  in  the  Christian  vocabulary.  It  would  appear 
more  in  accordance  with  our  profession,  to  ask  ^directly,  What  is  duty  ?  and 
what  is  best  for  the  cause  of  Christ  ?  and  in  answer  God  had  commanded 
to  write  the  vision,  and  make  it  plain  upon  tables,  that  he  who  reads  may 
run.  But  now  it  was  not  so — the  mind  of  the  Spirit  was  concealed,  by  a 
version  being  retained  that  is  not  a  faithful  reflex,  being  in  fact  composed 
in  part  of  obsolete  language,  and  in  part  of  Anglo-Greek.  He  loved  the 
Bible  as  it  is :  yes, 

"  The  old  fashioned  Bible, 
The  dear  blessed  Bible, 
The  family  Bible," 

and  because  he  loved  it,  desired  to  see  its  blemishes  removed  and  its  incor- 
rectness revised.  The  speaker  alluded  to  missionary  translators,  and  espe- 
cially to  Judson,  and  asked.  Why  should  we  give  to  Burmah  that  which  we 
refuse  to  Anglo-Saxons  ?  The  pure  word  was  wanted  for  posterity — for 
those  who  spoke  the  English  vernacular,  which  in  a  few  years,  it  was  com- 
puted, would  be  spoken  by  three  hundred  millions  of  our  race.  Mr.  B. 
then  spoke  of  the  encouraging  success  in  Maine,  and  of  the  indefatigable 
labors  of  the  Bible  Union  Agent  in  that  State,  believing  that  the  East  would 
soon  rise  universally  in  his  support,  and  concluded  by  recommending  the 
exercise  of  a  spirit  of  prayer  and  faith  that  aU  things  might  work  together 
for  good,  and  the  enjoyment  of  the  true  Bible  Union  in  Heaven. 


APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  GEORGE  W.  EATON,  D.D., 


PEOFKSSOB    IN    MADISON    CNIVBRSITY,    N.    T. 


Mr.  President  : — I  have  the  honor  of  offering  the  following  resolution : 

Resolved,  That  the  Word  of  God  should  be  translated  into  every  language  among  men,  in 
just  such  terms  as  shall  most  unmistakeably  convey  the  mind  of  the  Spirit  as  expressed  in  the 
original  Hebrew  and  Greek. 

This  resolution  embodies,  according  to  my  understanding,  the  fundamental 
principle  of  the  American  Bible  Union.  The  scope  of  its  legitimate  action 
is  the  practical  application  of  this  principle,  in  its  widest  extent,  without 
exception  and  without  restriction.  The  multiplication  and  circulation  of 
versions  made  in  accordance  with  this  principle,  are  supposed  as  a  necessary 
consequence  to  be  embraced  in  this  action.  But  it  is  the  principle  itself 
with  which  I  shall  mainly  concern  myself  in  the  remarks  I  shall  offer. 
And  in  the  outset  I  desire  to  say  that  this  principle  ought  not  to  require 
(fiscussion  or  advocacy  or  enforcement  in  a  Protestant  assembly.  All  who 
recognize  the  recorded  will  of  God,  as  found  in  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  as  the  only  rule  of  religious  faith  and  practice  among 
men,  must  admit  the  duty  and  urgency  of  making  this  Will  universally 
known.  God  in  His  infinite  mercy  has  made  a  revelation  of  His  mind  and 
wUl,  in  respect  to  the  apostate  and  rebellious  children  of  men.  This  revela- 
tion is  addressed  to  man  universally, — to  every  man  in  particular.  It  con- 
tains a  message  specifically  addressed  to  every  rational  and  responsible  in- 
dividual of  the  human  race.  Upon  the  reception  and  knowledge  of  this 
Divine  message  depends  nothing  less  than  the  eternal  life  of  the  soul.  "  This 
is  life  eternal,"  says  the  blessed  Savior,  "  that  they  might  know  Thee,  the 
only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  thou  hast  sent."  To  convey  this 
knowledge  to  all  men,  God  calls  for  the  cooperation  of  His  servants  ;  and 
to  a  higher  and  holier  duty  they  could  not  be  challenged.  To  be  workers 
together  with  God  in  diffusing  the  knowledge  of  His  will  among  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  in  modes  that  shaU  unmistakeably  convey  its  true  import  to 
every  truth-seeking  soul,  is  a  privilege  and  an  honor  which  angels  might 
covet.  But  how  is  this  to  be  done?  There  are  two  Heaven-appointed 
modes :  1st — The  voice  of  the  living  herald,  who  has  himself  studied  and 
become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  contents  of  the  inspired  message, 
and  goes  forth  to  proclaim  it  in  the  ears  of  men.  2d — The  submission  of 
the  written  word,  in  the  most  clear  and  definite  terms,  to  the  eye  of  every 
individual,  that  he  may  peruse  it  for  himself.    Both  these  means  must  be 


ADDRESS    OF    REV.    GEORGE    W.    EATON,    P.L.  7 

employed  by  us  in  making  known  the  wOl  of  God.  I  shall  not  stop  to  dis- 
cuss their  comparative  importance,  but  shaU  proceed  at  once  to  the  consid- 
eration of  the  latter  as  the  great  business  of  this  society. 

God  has  been  pleased  to  order  His  revealed  will  to  be  recorded  in  written 
language.  For  this  purpose,  He  selected  holy  men  who,  under  the  especial 
and  immediate  direction  of  the  Divine  Sph-it,  registered  His  revelations. 
"  Holy  men  of  old  wrote  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit."  '  Hence 
we  hold  that  the  form  as  weU  as  the  substance  of  these  revelations  was 
inspired.  "  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration  of  God  :"  that  is,  is  God- 
inspired,  or  God-breathed.  The  original  record  was  made  in  two  languages, 
the  Hebrew  and  the  Greek.  From  these  the  Spirit  of  God  chose  the  terms 
and  modes  of  expression  which  were  used  by  the  inspired  penmen  in  regis- 
tering the  thoughts  and  purposes  of  God.  A  peculiar  sacredness  hence 
attaches  to  the  original  record.  But  in  process  of  time  the  languages  in 
which  it  was  made  ceased  to  be  spoken  among  men.  They  became  what 
we  term  dead  languages,  and  so  unsusceptible  of  change  either  in  phrase- 
ology or  meaning.  The  revealed  truths  of  God  are  enshrined  in  unchange- 
able modes  of  expression.  They  art  as  fixed  lights  in  an  immovable  firma- 
ment. The  stereotype  of  eternity  is  upon  the  sacred  original.  But  in  con- 
sequence of  being  contained  in  languages  no  longer  spoken,  a  few  favored 
scholars  only  can  have  access  to  the  life-giving  truths  in  the  form  at  first 
revealed.  The  millions  of  the  race  must  remain  forever  shut  out  from  the 
eternal  fountain  of  life  and  salvation,  unless  opened  to  them  through  the 
medium  of  faithful  translations.  We  see  therefore  the  necessit}-  of  multi- 
plying tra:nslations  of  the  original  Scriptures,  that  all  may  "  read  in  their 
own  tongue  the  wonderful  works  of  God."  Who  cannot  perceive  from  this 
view  that  the  work  of  Bible  translation  is  one  of  transcendent  importance  ? 
In  no  other  way  can  the  myriads  that  people  the  globe,  speaking  various 
languages,  be  put  in  possession  of  the  truths  which  '•  make  wise  unto  sal- 
vation." 

A  translation  is  the  conveyance  of  the  ideas  contained  in  one  wi'itten  lan- 
guage into  another  by  the  use  of  words  and  phraseology  belonging  to  the 
latter,  which,  though  different  in  form  and  sound  from  those  of  the  former, 
shall  substantially  and  clearly  express  the  same  thing.  When  the  ideas  of  • 
the  original  are  reproduced  in  a  translation  in  such  fullness  and  distinctness 
that  the  reader  shall  receive  the  same  impressionSj  and  the  same  kind  and 
amount  of  knowledge  from  perusing  the  latter  as  he  would  from  perusing 
the  former  if  thoroughly  versed  in  it,  then  the  translation  is  perfect.  And 
nothing  short  of  this  should  be  our  aim  in  translations  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. We  may  indeed  never  actually  attain  to  it,  but  we  must  be  ever- 
more striving  after  it. 

And  here  I  would  note  a  difference  which  must  always  exist  between  the 
inspired  original  and  every  translation,  however  excellent.  The  one  bears 
the  impress  of  God's  unerring  Spirit.    It  is  a  Divine  production,  though 


8  APPENDIX. 

penned  by  human  hands.  The  highest  learning  sanctified  by  humble  piety, 
has  been  expended  upon  the  sacred  text  of  the  original,  in  order  to  preserve 
and  perpetuate  it  in  the  exact  form  in  which  it  passed  from  under  the  hands 
of  the  inspired  amanuenses  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Vf  e  may,  therefore,  feel  the 
strongest  confidence  in  the  fidelity  and  accuracy  of  the  original  text,  as  ap- 
proved and  endorsed  by  the  profoundest  Biblical  scholars.  On  the  other 
hand,  a  translation  is  a  human  production,  and  must  necessarily  bear  more 
or  less  the  marks  of  human  imperfection.  Undoubtedly  the  candid  truth- 
loving  and  devout  translator  is  especially  assisted  in  his  work  by  the  same 
Spirit  that  dictated  the  original.  But,  he  cannot  claim,  and  we  cannot  allow 
him  the  gift  of  inspiration  ;  and  his  work,  however  distinguished  for  super- 
lative excellence,  can  never  have  the  authority  of  the  original,  and  must  in 
no  wise  be  taken  as  a  standard  of  ultimate  appeal.  Nevertheless,  a  high 
degree  of  perfection  may  be  attained  by  human  effort,  directed  by  a  sound 
understanding  ;  but  it  is  characteristic  of  this  kind  of  effort  that  perfection 
is  approximated  by  degrees  and  by  repeated  trials,  while  all  that  comes 
directly  from  God  bears  the  impress  of  his  own  immaculate  perfection.  Now 
is  there  any  work  under  Heaven,  in  which  there  should,  be  such  a  concen- 
tration of  persevering  and  holy  effort  to  reach  the  highest  possible  perfection, 
as  in  that  of  translating  the  inspired  oracles  of  God  into  all  languages 
spoken  by  immortal  and  accountable  men  ?  To  this  kind  of  effort  is  this 
Society  professedly  and  publicly  committed  before  Christendom  and  the 
■world.  It  is  but  announcing  a  simple  fact  to  assert,  that  there  is  no  trans- 
lation of  the  Holy  Scriptures  now  extant,  that  may  not  be  in  many  respects 
greatly  improved,  and  made  more  perfectly  to  reflect  the  divine  meaning  of 
the  original. 

We  may  liken  a  translation  in  respect  to  the  original  to  a  mirror.  How 
different  the  degrees  of  perfection  in  different  specimens  of  this  convenient 
production  of  human  art.  We  have  seen  mirrors  so  defective  as  to  give  back 
but  a  portion  of  the  features  of  the  object  placed  before  it,  and  the  conception 
of  the  whole  was  quite  lost.  Others  reflect  it  with  such  dimness  or  dis- 
coloration, that  though  we  may  catch  an  indistinct  outline,  the  true  expres- 
sion is  not  given.  In  others  again  such  perfection  has  been  attained,  that  it 
,  is  difficult  to  tell  by  the  eye,  which  is  the  image  and  which  the  object.  A 
perfect  mirror  is  one  which  reflects  the  object  placed  before  it,  with  all  its 
light  and  shade,  just  as  it  strikes  the  eye  in  its  real  and  substantial  form. 

Such  a  "  devoutly  wished  for  consummation  "  should  we  piously  aim  at 
in  the  mirrors  of  the  inspired  Word,  which  we  provide  in  translations  of  this 
Word  for  the  nations  of  the  earth.  They  should  reflect  the  heavenly 
truths  in  all  the  fulness,  clearness  and  beauty  of  the  original  revelation. 
Now,  Sir,  if  I  understand  the  restrictions  and  limitations  which  other  Socie- 
ties have  in  their  wisdom  and  discretion  imposed  upon  themselves,  yours  is 
the  only  Society  in  Christendom  which  proposes,  as  its  chief  olject,  this 
vitally  important  and  responsible  work  of  giving  faithful,  and,  nearly  as 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  GEORGE  W.  EATON,  D.D.        9 

possible,  perfect  translations  of  God's  Word  into  all  languages  among  men. 
Let  us  do  no  injustice  to  other  Societies.  You  occupy  a  ground  which  they 
have  wisely  and  discreetly,  it  may  be,  declined  to  assume  ;  while  they  may 
honestly  think  that  you  have  I'ashly  and  profanely  rushed  in  "  where  angels 
fear  to  tread,"  without  furnishing  any  adequate  guarantees  of  your  compe- 
tency for  the  holy  and  awfully  responsible  task  proposed.  Their  peculiar 
province  is  the  circulation  of  the  Scriptures  in  translations  furnished  to 
their  hands  by  the  labors  of  others.  With  them  the  Avork  of  translating 
and  revision  is  incidental  and  confined  to  foreign  languages,  while  they  do 
most  emphatically  disclaim  all  intention  of  engaging  in  this  incidental  work 
in  respect  to  the  English  language.  Now,  they  are  doing  a  noble. work  in 
circulating  the  Word  of  God  in  the  best  translations  which  are  extant.  Let 
us  not  impede  them  in  this  noble  work,  but  devoutly  invoke  the  blessing  of 
God  to  rest  upon  their  labors.  But  the  simple  truth  is,  the  field  of  Biblical 
translation  in  its  comprehensiveness  and  universality,  the  American  Bible 
Union  has  alone  ventured  to  enter  and  occu2)y.  It  may  be,  sir,  that  this 
was  a  rash  movement,  and  that  this  is  not  the  body  that  God  has  appointed 
for  such  occupancy;  but  of  two  things  I  have  a  strong  and  abiding  convic- 
tion, namely,  that  as  a  field  for  special  Christian  effort,  there  is  none  in  this 
age  of  more  commanding  and  pressing  importance,  and  hence  there  is  an 
imperious  call  on  the  part  of  the  Spirit  and  Providence  of  God,  that  some 
competent  agency  should  occupy  it.  Whether  the  "  Union  "  is  the  divinely 
appointed  agent  to  labor  in  this  field,  the  character  and  results  of  its  labors 
will  be  the  best  evidence.  But  the  fact  is,  in  the  providence  of  God,  it  has 
fairly  entered  the  unoccupied  field,  and  with  my  impressions  as  to  the  para- 
mount importance  of  the  object  to  be  accomplished,  I  must  cordially  yield 
to  it  my  humble  approval  and  small  influence,  so  long  as  I  retain  my  present 
confidence  in  the  purity  and  integrity  of  those  who  direct  and  manage  its 
operations. 

Thus  far  I  have  contemplated  the  province  of  this  Society  in  its  relation  to 
the  work  of  Biblical  translation  and  revision  generally.  I  shall  now  say  a 
few  words  upon  what  many  regard  as  its  distinguishing  peculiarity — namely 
its  relation  to  a  revision  of  the  English  Scriptures. 

It  is  indisputably  committed  to  undertake  such  revision,  and  will  accord- 
ingly adopt  and  prosecute  all  proper  and  practicable  me.1,sures  to  accomplish 
it  in  the  best  possible-  manner.  In  this  respect  the  Union  does  occupy  a 
peculiar  attitude  before  the  Christian  world.  Other  Bible  Societies  have 
publicly  and  most  emphatically  disclaimed  any  purpose  of  the  kind.  I  will 
briefly  consider  two  questions  pertinent  to  this  subject  of  revising  the  Eng- 
lish Scriptures,  and  leave  the  discussion  to  be  prosecuted  by  one  far  more 
able  and  better  prepared  to  do  it  justice.  1st.  Is  such  revision  desirable? 
2d.  Is  it  feasible  7  And  here  let  us  discriminate  between  a  revision  and 
a  translation.  They  are  by  no  means  identical.  I  have  never  understood 
that  this  Society  contemplates  a  new  translation  into  the  English  language 


10  APPENDIX. 

of  the  original  Scriptures,  nor  properly,  even  a  "  new  version,"  but  a 
careful  and  thorough  revision  by  competent  men  of  the  version  now  in 
common  use,  with  the  specific  and  sole  object  of  making  it  ?'?i  «// iYs/)arfs 
a  more  perfect  utterance  of  the  mind  of  the  Siiirit,  without  materially  alter- 
ing its  venerable  and  familiar  phraseolog3^  And  this  too  for  the  special 
benefit  of  the  common  people  who  cannot  have  recourse  to  the  original. 

This  is  the  specific  point  to  which  our  first  question  relates.  For  my  own 
part,  I  am  free  to  say  that  I  do  not  think  a  new  and  independent  translation 
of  the  original  Scriptures  desirable,  and  certainly  not  desirable  as  a  work  to 
be  undertaken  by  this  Society ;  and  for  one  I  should  regard  it  as  a  misap- 
plication of  its  resources  to  devote  them  to  such  an  object.  We  have  in  the 
main  an  excellent  translation  in  our  present  English  Bible,  and  for  this 
I  must  say  in  passing,  that  we  are  not  so  much  indebted  to  "  King  James 
translators,''^  as  they  are  called,  as  many  seem  to  suppose.  It  is  a  histori- 
cal fact,  that  our  "  excellent  version"  is  itself  a  revision,  or  rather  it  is  a 
compilation  from  previous  versions.  The  laudations  bestowed  upon  King 
James'  translators,  in  connection  with  our  present  version,  are  somewhat 
misplaced  as  well  as  extravagant.  They  did  comparatively  but  little  in  the 
way  of  translating  ;  and  competent  persons  who  have  carefully  compared 
the  versions  from  which  they  compiled,  with  the  version  as  it  came  from 
their  hands,  have  judged  that  if  they  had  done  more  at  compiling  and  less 
at  translating,  the  necessity  of  any  subsequent  revision  would  be  less  than 
it  is.  lie  who  maintains  that  King  James'  translators  were  eminently  quali- 
fied to  translate  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek  into  English,  or  that  they 
were  as  competent  to  revise  the  English  Scriptures  as  are  the  distinguished 
biblical  scholars  of  the  present  day,  betrays  a  want  of  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  comparative  state  of  sacred  philology  at  that  time  and  the  present. 
Nevertheless,  it  is  a  cheerfully  admitted  fact,  and  one  which  should  call 
forth  our  profoundest  gratitude  to  a  gracious  Providence,  that  our  common 
version  does  possess  signal  merits,  and  is  worthy  of  the  general  confidence 
reposed  in  it.     I  desire  not  to  be  misunderstood  on  this  point. 

I  entertain  the  highest  respect  and  the  most  grateful  appreciation  of  the 
"  good  old  Bible  as  it  is."  I  desire  to  see  no  more  changes  in  it  than  are 
necessary  to  correct  clearly  ascertained  errors,  to  remove  acknowledged 
obscurities,  and  to  bring  out  distinctly  and  unambiguously  the  true  meaning 
of  the  original.  That  errors,  obscurities  and  ambiguities  do  attach  to  our 
received  version  notwithstanding  its  great  excellencies,  is  not  the  mere  opin- 
ion of  a  sect  or  party.  It  is  a  fact  well  known  and  painfully  felt  by  aU. 
who  are  versed  in  the  sacred  originals.  It  is  by  no  means  of  uniform 
excellence  throughout.  While  there  are  portions  of  transcendant  and 
almost  faultless  excellence  as  clear  reflections  of  the  mind  of  the  Spirit^ 
others  do  not  give  clearly,  and  some  fail  entirely  to  give  this  mind,  as 
expressed  in  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek.  I  repeat,  this  is  not  a  matter 
of  mere  opinion  of  this  or  that  sect.      Every  scholar  knows  it  to  be  a  fact. 


ADDRESS  OF  REV.  GEORGE  W.  EATON,  D.D.       11 

Now,  sir,  as  I  love  God's  revealed  truth,  and  hold  it  to  be  unspeakably 
important  that  all  men  should  know  it  in  its  fulness  and  explicitness ; 
nay,  sir,  as  I  love  our  old  familiar  Bible,  I  must  insist  that  it  is  eminently 
desirable  that  these  blemishes  and  imperfections  should    be    removed   in 
order  that  God's  will,  as  originally  revealed,  shall  be  given  in  all  its  parts  to 
the  English  reader,  without  ambiguity  and  without  mutilation.     My  under- 
standing  resents   as   an  insult   the  objection   that  a   pious  and  judicious 
attempt  to  eliminate  these  defects  from  our  version  will  give  a  handle  to 
infidelity.     What  more  effective  handle  can  we  give  to  infidelity  than  a 
public  admission  of  these  defects,  while  we  at  the  same  time  discourage  and 
oppose  all  attempts  to  remove  them.     It  is  alleged  that  these  defects  are  not 
serious,  and  do  not  cover  up  or  obscure  any  important  or  vital  doctrine.     In 
answer,  I  would  say,  it  is  not  for  w,s  to  decide  upon  the  comparative  import- 
ance of  different  parts  of  Divine  revelation.     It  is  all  given  by  inspiration, 
and  is  all  '•  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for  correction,  for  instruction 
in  righteousness."      And  no  finite  mind  can  estimate  the  mischief  to  the 
interests  of  truth  and  of  souls,  of  an  erroneous  or  obscure  rendering  of  any 
part  of  God's  revealed  will.     We  should  indeed  come  to  this  work  of  revision 
with  a  deep  sense  of  its  responsibility  and  delicacy.      We  should  approach 
our  venerable  version  with  reverence  and  affection  as  our  best  friend,  whose 
blemishes  and  defects  we  desire  to  remove,  only  that  its  peerless  excellen- 
cies may  be  relieved  of  all  eclipse,  and  the  word  of  God  shine  through  it  as 
a  transparent  medium,  pouring  its  radiant  and  unobscured  glories  over 
English  Christendom,  that  its  millions  may  walk  in  the  light,  and  there  be 
"  none  occasion  of  stumbling  "  to  any.     To  my  mind  there  is  no  object  of 
higher  or  more  sacred  moment  to  be  prosecuted  by  Christian  effort  in  this 
age  of  intellectual  advancement  than  such  a  thorough  and  careful  revision  of 
our  common  version  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  shall  make  it  (while  all  its 
excellencies  are  untouched  or  made  more  impressively  conspicuous)  in  all 
its  parts  as  exact  a  transcript  of  the  sacred  original  as  it  is  possible  for 
the  learning  of  the  age,  directed  by  sanctified  mind,  to  make  it.     We  beheve 
that  such  a  revision  of  our  version  is  practicable,  and  that  the  time  has 
come  when  it  should  be  undertaken  in  good  earnest.     Sacred  literature  has 
been  cultivated  with  great  assiduity  and  success  by  the  past  and  present 
generation  of  Christian  scholars.     The  science  of  Biblical  interpretation  has 
reached  a  state  of  perfection  quite  beyond  even  the  conception  of  King 
James'  translators.     There  are  Biblical  scholars  of  the  present  time  with 
whom  these  translators  bear  no  comparison  in  respect  to  an  accurate  and 
familiar  acquaintance  with  the  inspired  originals  and  the  true  principles  of 
translation  and  interpretation.     Why  should  not  their  rich  store  of  sacred 
learning  be  laid  under  tribute,  in  order  to  confer  the  highest  possible  perfec- 
tion upon  the  Bible  of  the  common  people,  that  it  may  mirror  forth  to  them, 
in  faithful  and  clearly  defined  images,  the  eternal  truths  of  Divine  Inspira- 
tion ?    The  arguments  advanced  in  opposition  to  a  revised  version  have  not 


12  ■  APPENDIX. 

affected  my  mind  as  either  forcible  or  pertinent.  I  regret  to  say  that 
loyalty  to  the  paramount  autliority  of  God's  word  has  not  seemed  to  me  to 
constitute  the  staple  of  these  arguments.  It  has  been  urged  by  some  that 
there  is  no  necessitj^  for  a  revision  in  order  to  make  the  Bible  more  "  bap- 
tist'''' than  it  is — that  it  is  baptist  enough  without  any  change,  and  that  as  a 
denomination  the  Baptists  have  been  wonderfully  increasing  under  the 
guidance  of  our  present  version.  What,  sir,  is  it  your  purpose  to  make  a 
Baptist'  Bible  ?  Is  it  the  object  of  this  Union  to  make  a  version  to  favor 
sectarian  peculiarities  7  If  it  be  so  I  can  have  nothing  to  do  with  it.  I 
have  understood  that  it  occupies  ground  which  entirely  overlooks  the  plat- 
form of  every  sect  and  denomination  as  such,  and  aims  simplj^  to  secure  a 
version  which  shall,  in  the  language  of  the  resolution,  "  convey  the  mind  of 
the  Spirit,  as  expressed  in  the  original  Hebrew  and  Greek,"  whatever  might 
be  its  bearing  upon  denominational  peculiarities.  I  am  a  Baptist,  the  son 
of  a  Baptist,  the  grandson  of  a  Baptist,  and  my  ancestors,  as  far  back  as  I 
can  trace  them  in  the  dim  vista  of  the  past,  were  Baptists,  and  yet,  if  a  faith- 
ful translation  of  every  part  of  God's  word  should  be  the  means  of  scattering 
the  Baptist  denomination  to  the  four  winds,  I  hesitate  not  to  say,  let  it  be 
made,  let  it  he  made.  Let  God's  truth  be  utterred,  though  it  prove  every 
Baptist  to  be  in  a  lie.  I  am  a  Baptist,  I  trust,  solely  on  the  ground  of 
an  honest  conviction,  that  in  the  creed  and  practice  of  the  Baptist  denom- 
ination there  is  embodied  a  larger  measure  of  Scriptural  truth  than  in 
those  of  other  Christian  sects.  In  regard  to  the  word  which  has  given  us  our 
denominational  appellation,  I  say  let  its  specific  meaning  be  given,  whatever 
it  be  ;  that  it  has  a  specific  meaning,  it  is  an  impious  reflection  upon  the 
Spirit  of  Truth  not  to  take  for  granted,  as  it  is  essential  to  every  positive 
command  that  some  particular  act  be  designated.  If  it  be  to  sprinkle,  let 
it  be  so  expressed,  if  to  pour  let  it  be  to  pour,  and  if  to  immerse  let  it 
plainly  and  unequivocally  be  given  thus,  though  the  cry  of  sectairianism 
should  come  up  like  the  voice  of  many  waters  from  every  part  of  Christen- 
dom. In  carrying  out  the  principle  of  faithful  versions  of  God's  word  we 
must  have  no  regard  to  consequences,  much  less  to  considerations  of  expedi- 
ency. "  What  saith  the  Lord,"  must  be  the  engrossing  inquiry ;  and  when 
this  is  ascertained,  it  is  to  be  expressed  just  in  the  simplest  and  clearest 
terms  at  command,  without  any  anxious  regard  to  the  elegance  of  the  style 
or  the  refinements  of  an  elaborate  rhetoric.  Perspicuity  and  simplicity  are 
the  highest  characters  demanded  in  the  style  of  a  version  adapted  for  general 
use.  In  conclusion,  I  would  express  it  as  my  firm  conviction,  that  a 
Society,  based  upon  the  principle  embodied  in  the  resolution,  must  succeed 
against  all  opposition,  if  its  operations  are  fiiithfully  directed  in  humble 
dependence  upon  the  blessing  of  God  to  sustain  and  carry  out  the  principle. 
The  Union  is  fully  committed  before  the  world  to  the  distinct  maintenance 
of  this  principle.  As  an  organization  it  is  its  sole  representative.  As  God 
will  honor  the  principle,  he  will  also  honor  and  bless  the  Society — honestly 


ADDRESS    OF    REV.    GEORGE    W.    EATON,    D.D.  13 

and  piously  devoted  to  its  assertion  and  practical  application.  The  most 
solemn  and  weighty  responsibility  rests  upon  the  ofiBcers  and  managers  of 
the  Union,  and  no  labor  and  expense  should  be  spared  to  ensure  an  accepta- 
ble execution  of  the  great  work  they  have  proposed  to  themselves.  They 
are  not  expected  to  do  it  themselves  directly,  but  it  is  their  province  to 
secure  the  men  and  the  means  competent  and  adequate  to  accomplish  it. 
There  are  eminent  living  scholars,  whose  critical  knowledge  confers  the 
requisite  abilitj^  to  apply  all  the  resources  of  their  own  and  of  others,  which 
may  be  necessary  to  the  ascertainment  of  the  original  meaning,  and  whose 
moral  honesty  will  prompt  them  to  give  it  to  the  English  reader  "  in  just 
such  terms  as  shall  most  unmistakeably  convey"  it,  without  fear  or  favor. 
Let  them  be  enlisted  at  whatever  cost  in  the  prosecution  of  this  eminently 
important  work.  Eminent  success  in  the  execution  will  constitute  hj  far 
the  most  valuable  achievement  of  the  age,  and  this  success  will  be  perceived 
and  gratefully  acknowledged  by  all  who  hold  the  simple  authority  of  God's 
word  paramount  to  all  other  considerations.  If  the  work  is  badly  done,  it 
will  be  condemned  and  repudiated.  If  well  and  thoroughly  done,  it  will 
command  approval  and  adoption  against  every  outcry  and  mode  of  opposi- 
tion, from  whatever  quarter  it  may  come.  In  nothing  can  we  so  confidently 
depend  upon  the  favor  and  special  blessing  of  God  as  in  honest  and  perseve- 
ring efforts  to  make  his  whole  revealed  will  known  to  all  men,'  for  "  His 
ward  He  will  honor  above  all  His  name."  And  them  who  honor  that  word 
above  all  things  beside  He  will  not  fail  in  a  peculiar  manner  to  honor  and 
bless. 


14  APPENDIX. 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL, 


PRESIDENT    OF    BETHANT    COLLEGE,    VIRGINIA. 


Men,  Brethren,  and  Fathers  in  Israel! 

Through  the  kind  providence  of  our  Heavenly  Father,  and  by 
your  Christian  courtesy,  I  have  the  honor  to  appear  before  j^ou,  and  to  ad- 
dress you,  on  this  most  eventfiil  and  interesting  occasion.  Regarding  your 
Bible  Union  as  one  of  the  important  events  of  the  age — one  of  the  most 
promising  signs  of  the  times,  most  auspicious  of  future  good  to  the  church 
and  to  the  world — I  cannot  but  feel  exceedingly  happy  in  being  permitted 
to  appear  before  you  in  the  defence  and  advocacy  of  that  great  undertaking 
so  dear  to  us  all,  which  proposes  and  promises  to  give  an  improved  version 
of  the  Living  Oracles  of  the  Living  God  in  our  vernacular,  as  spoken  at  the 
present  day. 

Unaccustomed  to  apologies  on  any  occasion,  for  reasons  at  this  day  gener- 
ally understood  and  properly  appreciated,  I  have,  nevertheless,  deemed  it 
reasonable  to  apologize  to  you  for  the  manner  in  which  I  am  now  about  to 
address  you.  I  have,  during  a  ministry  of  forty  years,  never  before  read  a 
sermon  or  an  address,  of  my  own  composition,  upon  any  religious  subject,  in 
the  presence  of  any  congregation.  Indeed,  I  have  never  before  written  but 
one  such  discourse,  and  that  was  not  to  be  read  but  recited.  But  the  fects 
and  documents  to  be  alleged  and  considered,  on  the  present  occasion,  are 
so  numerous  and  critical,  that  I  deem  it  due  to  myself  and  to  you,  that  I 
should  first  write,  and  then  read  to  you,  whatever  I  have  to  submit  for  our 
mutual  consideration. 

It  is  usual,  now-a-days,  to  have  a  text  or  a  motto  to  everj^  sermon  on 
every  public  occasion.  On  the  present  I  will  select  a  few  mottoes :  "  Go  you 
into  all  the  world,  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature — teach  them  to  ob- 
serve whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you  ;"  Jesus  the  Christ  "  gave  himself 
a  ransom  for  all,  to  be  testified  in  due  time  ;"  "  The  mystery  of  Christ,  kept 
secret  since  the  world  began,  is  now  made  manifest,  and  by  the  writings  of 
the  prophets,  according  to  the  commandment  of  the  everlasting  God,  is  now 
made  known  to  all  nations  for  the  obedience  of  faith." — Paul.  But  the 
Bible,  the  whole  Bible,  is  my  theme.     And  what  is  the  Bible  ? 

The  Bible  is  the  book  of  God.  God  is  not  only  its  author,  but  its  sub- 
ject.   It  is  also  the  book  of  man.     He,  too,  is  the  subject  and  the  object  of 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER   CAMPBELL.  15 

the  volume.  "  It  has  God  for  its  author  ;  salvation  for  its  end  ;  and  truth, 
without  any  mixture  of  error,  for  its  matter."* 

It  spans  the  arch  of  time,  which  loans  upon  an  eternity  past  and  an  eter- 
nity to  come.  It  came  to  us  through  the  ministry  of  angels,  prophets  and 
apostles,  and  is  to  be  transmitted  by  us,  in  all  languages,  to  nations  and 
generations  yet  unborn.  It  contains  treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge 
beyond  all  the  learning  of  earth,  and  all  the  philosophy  of  man.  It  not  only 
unveils  to  us  the  future  of  time,  but  lifts  the  curtain  that  separates  the  seen 
from  the  unseen,  earth  from  heaven,  time  from  eternity,  and  presents  to  the 
eye  of  faith  and  hope  the  ineffable  glories  of  a  blissful  immortality.  It  is  to 
us,  indeed,  the  book  of  life  ;  the  charter  of  "an  inheritance  incorruptible, 
undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not  away."  It  has  already  measurably  civilized 
many  nations  and  empires.  It  has  enlightened,  moralized,  sanctified  and 
saved  untold  millions  of  our  fallen  and  degraded  race,  and  will  continue  to 
enlighten,  sanctify  and  bless  the  world,  until  the  last  sentence  of  the  event- 
ful volumes  of  human  history  shall  have  been  stereotyped  forever.  But  alas 
for  the  unfaithful  stewards,  the  inconsiderate  and  presumptuous  sentinels  of 
Zion,  who,  instead  of  guarding  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  set  about  allegoriz- 
ing, mystifying,  and  nullif3nng  its  sacred  contents ! 

The  infidel  Jew  and  the  pagan  Greek  first  withstood  its  claims,  resisted 
its  evidence,  and  denied  its  authority.  They  alike  conspired  to  hate,  to  re- 
vile, and  persecute  its  friends.  But  vanquished  in  debate,  overcome  by  its 
advocates,  many  of  them  at  length  formally  admitted  its  pretensions,  ab- 
jured their  errors,  and  bowed  in  homage  to  its  dictates.  Still,  influenced 
more  or  less  by  their  former  opinions  and  early  associations,  they  mystified 
its  doctrine,  corrupted  its  simphcit}^,  nullified  its  precepts,  and  encumbered 
it  with  the  traditions  of  the  world.  Thus,  by  degrees,  a  vain  and  empty 
philosophy  beguiled  its  friends,  neutraUzed  its  opponents,  and  secularized  its 
institutions. 

In  a  little  more  than  three  centuries  from  the  birth  of  its  Founder,  the 
doctrine  of  the  cross  was  so  perverted  and  corrupted  as  to  ascend  the  throne 
of  the  Roman  Caesars,  in  the  person  of  Constantine  the  Great.  The  sword 
of  persecution  was  then  sheathed,  and,  by  an  imperial  ordinance,  toleration 
vouchsafed  to  the  Christians,  and  their  confiscated  estates  restored. 

This  event  was,  most  fallaciously  and  unfortunately,  contemplated  as  the 
triumph  of  the  cross  over  the  idolatries  of  pagan  Rome  ;  because,  forsooth, 
the  emperor  of  Rome,  while  commanding  its  armies,  had  seen,  or  ih'camed 
that  he  had  seen,  at  high  noon,  a  golden  cross  standing  under  a  meridian 
sun,  inscribed,  in  hoc  signo  vinces — "  under  this  symbol  you  will  triumph." 
Thus,  as  a  military  chieftain,  he  was  converted  to  the  faith,  and,  under  the 
banner  of  a  painted  cross,  led  his  armies  to  a  final  triumph. 

The  paganizing  of  Christianity  in  the  person  and  government  of  Constan- 
tine, and  in  his  council  of  Nice,  inflicted  upon  the  church  and  Christianity  a 


16  APPENDIX. 

wound  from  which  they  have  not  yet  wholly  recovered.  This  early  defec 
tion,  obscuring  and  paralizing  the  understanding,  and  corrupting  the  heart 
of  the  Christian  profession,  also  greatly  influenced  Bible  interpretation,  and, 
by  degrees,  introduced  a  new  theological  nomenclature  ;  of  which  sundry 
monuments,  both  eastern  and  western,  aiford  melancholy  proof.  Down  to 
the  first  Oecumenical  Council,  the  Christian  Scriptures  were  translated  into 
various  dialects.  They  were  not  only  read,  in  whole  or  in  part,  in  Hebrew, 
Greek,  and  Syriac ;  but  also  in  Latin,  Coptic,  Sahidic,  Ethiopic,  Persic,  and 
other  tongues. 

The  spirit  of  translating  is  as  old  as  the  celebrated  day  of  Pentecost. 
When  first  the  gospel  was  announced  by  the  Holy  Spirit  sent  down  from 
heaven,  it  was  spoken  in  all  the  languages  then  represented  in  Jerusalem. 
"  How  is  it,"  said  the  immense  concourse,  "  we  do  hear,  every  one  in  his 
own  native  tongue — Parthians,  Medes,  Persians  ;  inhabitants  of  Judea,  Cap- 
padocia,  Pontus  and  proconsular  Asia ;  Phrygians,  Pamphylians,  Egypti- 
ans, Cyrenians,  Africans,  Roman  strangers,  Cretes  and  Arabians — we  hear 
them  speaking,  in  our  own  tongues^  the  wonderful  works  of  God !"  Ask  wc 
any  other  warrant  or  example  to  inspire  us  with  the  spirit  of  translation^ 
or  to  guide  and  authorize  our  efforts  in  this  great  work  ! 

The  inscription  upon  the  Saviour's  cross  was  written  in  Hebrew,  Greek 
and  Latin,  and  certainly,  for  reasons  at  least  equal,  if  not  superior  to  those 
which  called  forth  this  inscription,  his  resurrection,  and  all  its  consequences, 
should  be  given  in  tongues  as  numerous  and  as  various  as  the  languages  of 
those  to  whom  this  glorious  message  of  salvation  is  delivered.  No  one  de- 
nying this,  we  need  not  argue  its  claims  as  a  matter  of  doubtful  disputation. 
Nor  need  we  undertake  to  show  that  the  missionary  spirit  is  essentially  the 
spirit  of  Christianity,  and  that  wherever  a  church  is  planted  in  any  country, 
to  it  should  be  committed  the  oracles  of  God. 

It  is,  however,  worthy  of  special  notice,  that  God  himself  simultaneously 
spoke  and  wrote  the  legal  and  symbolic  dispensation.  He  not  only  preached 
the  law,  but  wrote  the  law,  with  his  own  hand,  and  gave  the  autograph  to 
Moses,  of  what  ho  had  spoken  to  him  in  the  mount. 

In  the  same  spirit  of  wisdom  and  philanthropy,  the  apostles  spoke  and 
wi'ote  Christianity  in  sermons  and  epistles.  Even  our  Saviour  himself  made 
John  the  amanuensis  of  the  seven  epistles  to  the  Asiatic  churches. 

For  accurate  and  long  preservation  of  words  and  ideas,  the  pen  and  the 
parchment,  the  stylus  and  the  wax,  the  chisel,  the  lead  and  the  rock,  are 
indispensable.  Hence,  neither  the  new  nor  the  old  dispensation  was  left  to 
the  chances  of  mere  oral  communication  or  tradition,  but  they  w^ere  written 
by  prophets  and  apostles,  or  by  their  amanuenses,  and  given  in  solemn 
charge  to  the  most  faithful  depositories — the  primitive  churches — with 
solemn  anathemas  annexed,  to  protect  them  from  interpolation,  erasure  or 
blemish,  from  the  hand  of  man. 

But  the  languages  in  which  the  Holy  Oracles  were  originally  wi-itten 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.         17 

died  soon  after  the  precious  deposit  had  been  committed  to  them.  This 
death,  however,  became  the  occasion  of  the  immortality  of  that  precious 
deposit. 

Living  tongues  are  always  in  a  state  of  mutation.  They  change  with 
every  generation.  The  language  of  WicklifFe,  of  Tindal,  of  Cranmer,  of 
James  I.,  is  not  the  language  of  this  country  nor  of  this  generation.  Wick- 
liffe's  version  needs  now  to  be  translated  into  the  English  of  1850.  JBut  the 
Greek  of  the  New  Testament,  and  the  Hebrew  of  the  Old,  having  ages  since 
ceased  to  be  spoken,  have  ceased- to  change;  and  therefore,  with  the  lan- 
guages of  that  age,  are  stereotyped  the  general  literature,  the  philosophy, 
the  poetry,  the  history — the  classics  of  the  Greeks  and  Romans  ;  together 
with  the  Septuagint,  and  other  Greek  versions  of  the  Jewish  Scriptures. 

Next  to  the  deluge,  not  only  in  proximity  of,  time,  but  in  its  calamitous 
influence  on  the  destiny  of  man,  was  the  confusion  of  human  language  at  the 
profane  and  insolent  attempt  to  erect  a  temple  to  Belus,  and  a  city  to  prevent 
the  wide  dispersion  of  Noah'-'s  progeny.  The  monumental  name  Babylon, 
awakens  in  every  thoughtful  and  sensitive  heart  a  series  of  painful  reflections 
on  every  remembrance  of  its  grievous  associations.  But  for  it,  as  among  all 
animals  without  reason  and  conscience,  there  would  have  been,  through  our 
whole  species,  but  one  language  and  one  speech.  It  has  thrown  in  the  way 
of  human  civilization  and  moral  progress,  barriers  that  neither  can  be  anni- 
hilated nor  overcome.  It  has  more  or  less  alienated  man  from  man,  making 
every  one  of  a  different  dialect — more  or  less  a  barbarian  to  a  great  portion 
of  his  own  species.  As  one  of  our  most  moral  and  evangeUcal  poets  has  said 
of  mountains,we  may  say  of  language  ;  for  languages,  like  mountains,  inter- 
posed, 


'  M.akc  enemies  of  nations  ;  who  else, 


Like  kindred  drops,  Iiad  mingled  into  one." 

Till  then,  the  vernacular  of  every  child  was  that  of  all  mankind,  and  was  a 
part  and  parcel  of  humanity  itself,  to  interest  him  in  every  one  of  his  species 
as  his  own  flesh  and  blood.  But  foreign  tongues  indicate  a  foreign  origin, 
with  which,  most  frequently,  some  ungrateful  associations  arise,  that  estrange 
and  alienate  from  the  claims  of  a  common  brotherhood. 

But,  most  of  all  to  be  deplored,  this  divine  judgment  has  thrown  very 
great  obstacles  in  the  path  of  the  evangelical  ministry.  It  was,  indeed,  as 
observed  already,  miraculously  overcome  by  the  gift  of  tongues,  instantane- 
ously conferred  on  the  apostles,  at  the  time  of  the  -coronation  of  the  Lord 
Messiah.  They  had  access,  at  once,  to  many  nations,  whose  representatives 
returned  from  Jerusalem  richly  laden  with  the  word  of  life  to  their  coun- 
trymen. But  the  necessity  that  was  overcome  on  the  memorable  Pentecost 
still  exists,  more  or  less,  as  a  very  formidable  obstacle  to  the  conversion  of 
the  human  race  to  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  and  one  communion ; 
and  must,  of  necessity,  be  overcome.  And  here  we  state  our  first  argument 
in  favor  of  translations  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  into  all  languages  spoken  by 


18  APPENDIX. 

man  capable  of  receiving,  in  their  vocabularies,  the  precious  oracles  of  the 
Living  and  True  God. 

But  I  am  met  at  the  threshold,  with  the  assertion  that  this  is  a  subject  in 
which  all  Christendom  is  agreed,  and  that  it  would  be  but  a  waste  of  time 
to  discuss  such  a  question.  The  necessity  of  translating  the  Living  Oracles, 
of  the  Living  God  into  all  the  nations  of  earth,  as  the  means  of  their  con- 
version and  salvation,  I  am  told,  is  universally  conceded  by  Jew  and  Gen- 
tile.    But  have  they,  in  any  other  way  than  theoretically,  conceded  it  ? 

The  Jews'  religion  and  revelation,  now  called  the  Old  Testament,  was 
not  designed  for  all  mankind,  in  the  same  sense  as  the  Christian  revelation 
and  religion  are  designed  for  all  mankind.  The  Jews'  religion  was  specially 
given  to  one  nation  for  its  own  sake.  It  never  was  essentially  a  proselytmg 
institution.  Its  genius  and  nature  restricted  it  to  the  natural  seed  of  Abra- 
ham. There  is  no  precept  in  it  commanding  it  to  be  preached  or  promulged 
to  all  the  world.  Still,  the  Jews'  institution  had  in  it  the  elements  of  Chris- 
tianity, and,  on  that  account,  it  is  invaluable  to  all  the  Christian  kingdom. 
They,  too,  have  set  us  an  example ;  for  when  the  Jews  were  sown  through 
different  countries,  they  had  their  oracles  translated  into  the  language  of 
these  countries.  Hence,  the  first  translation  made  in  Egypt  by  the  seventy 
learned  Jews,  all  natives  of  Egypt,  assembled  in  Alexandria,  not  by  com- 
mand of  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  but  during  his  copartnery  of  the  throne  of 
Egypt  with  his  father,  was  designed  to  give  to  the  Jews  throughout  the 
world  a  version  in  the  then  prevailing  dialect.  Thus  originated  the  celebra- 
ted Septuagint.     This,  however,  preceded  the  Christian  era  only  285  years. 

But  the  necessity  of  improved  versions  is  rather  our  present  subject,  and 
with  reference  to  this,  the  Jews  are  worthy  of  our  regard.  They  were  not 
all  satisfied  with  this  venerable  and  invaluable  translation,  though  the  best 
ever  made  into  the  Greek  tongue.  It  is  honored,  and  consecrated,  too,  by 
the  fact  that  it  is  quoted  in  the  New  Testament,  and  is  thus  sanctioned  by 
the  holy  apostles  themselves — a  correct  exponent  of  their  own  Hebrew 
original.  Philo  the  Jew,  Josephus,  and  the  primitive  Christians,  also  gave  it 
the  sanction  of  their  approval. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  many  learned  individuals,  both  Jews  and  Chris- 
tians, took  exceptions  to  some  parts  of  it.  suggested  corrections  and  emen- 
dations numerous  and  various.  Accordingly,  Aquila,  a  Jew,  who  once  pro- 
fessed, but  afterwards  renounced  Christianity  and  relapsed  into  Judaism, 
undertook  and  finished  a  new  version  in  the  forepart  of  the  2d  century. 
Ilis  chief  objection  to  the  Septuagint  was  its  too  periphrastic  character;  and, 
avoiding  this  alleged  defect,  he  became  literal  to  a  fault.  It  was,  however, 
read  with  interest  as  early  as  the  middle  of  the  second  century  of  our 
Christian  era. 

Almost  contemporaneous  with  this  was  the  version  of  Theodotion,  an 
Ebonite  Christian,  who  supposed  that  a  rather  freer  version  than  that  of  Aquila 
was  desirable.     Next  to  his  appeared  the  version  of  Symmachus.     More 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER   CAMPBELL.  19 

skilled  in  Hebrew,  according  to  tradition,  than  Theodotion,  he  makes  many 
alleged  improvements,  but  borrowed  too  much,  and  rather  indiscreetly,  from 
his  predecessors. 

Besides  these  private  versions  of  the  Hebrew  scriptures  into  the  Greek  ver- 
nacular, no  less  than  three  anonymous  Greek  versions  appeared  before  the 
middle  of  the  2d  century;  which,  because  of  the  columns  they  occupy  in 
Origen's  Enneeapla,  are  called  the  5  th,  6th,  and  7th  versions.  Thus  the  Sep- 
tuagint.  which  reigned  without  a  rival  for  some  three  centuries,  till  the  close, 
we°may  say,  of  the  1st  century  of  Christianity,  has,  in  some  one  hundred 
and  fifty  years,  no  less  than  six  Greek  rival  versions,  all  the  fruit,  we  must 
suppose,  of  a  desire  for  an  improved  version.  It  may  be  observed,  that  the 
author  of  the  6th  translation  of  this  class,  as  arranged  in  the  Hexapla  of 
Origen,  was  evidently  a  Christian.  So  far,  then,  as  the  learning,  judgment, 
and  piety  of  the  authors  of  the  six  Greek  versions  of  the  old  Hebrew  Testa- 
ment affoi-d  an  example  or  argument,  it  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  our  effort  to 
have  an  improved  version,  at  least  of  the  Christian  Scriptures. 

We  do  not,  indeed,  regard  every  new  version,  whether  undertaken  by 
pubhc  or  private  authority,  an  improvement.  But  there  is  little  ground  to 
doubt  that  these  six  versions,  together  with  the  Septuagint,  would  enable 
any  person  of  the  genius  and  learning  of  Origen  to  furnish  a  better  than  any 
one  of  them.  Hence  it  is  that  Origen's  Hexapla  is  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  valuable  offerings  of  the  3d  century  to  the  cause  of  Biblical  translations. 

But  the  necessity  of  original  translations,  and  of  improved  versions  of 
former  translations,  has  much  more  to  commend  and  enforce  its  claims  upon 
public  attention,  than  the  customs  of  the  Jews  or  the  spirit  and  character  of 
their  religion.  Christianity,  or  the  gospel,  in  its  facts,  precepts  and  promises, 
was  divinely  commanded  to  be  promulged  throughout  the  whole  world. 
Neither  its  spirits  nor  its  design  is  national  or  secular,  but  catholic  and 

spiritual. 

It  is  a  dispensation  of  divine  grace,  adapted  to  the  genius,  character  and 
condition  of  mankind,  as  they  now  are.  It  grasps  in  its  broad  philanthropy 
the  human  race,  and  throws  its  benignant  arms  around  all  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  It  is,  therefore,  the  sin  of  the  church,  if  there  be  one  of  Adam's 
sons  who  has  never  heard,  in  his  own  tongue,  the  wonderful  works  of 

God.  . 

In  its  hale  and  undegenerate  days,  the  gospel  was  borne  on  the  wmgs  ol 
everywind,  and,  as  far  and  as  soon  as  possible,.it  was  promulged  by  the 
Uving  tongues  of  apostles,  evangelists  and  prophets,  from  Jerusalem  to  the 
confines  of  the  most  barbarous  nations ;  and  on  equal  terms  tendered  to 
Jew  and  Greek,  Barbarian,  Scythian,  bond  and  free. 

It  was  not  only  spoken,  but  written  and  translated  into  every  language 
accessible  to  those  to  whom  were  committed  the  oracles  of  God.  For  this 
purpose  God  gave  plenary  inspiration  to  the  first  heralds  of  the  cross,  and, 
therefore  it  was  accurately  announced  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Ultima 


20  APPENDIX. 

Thiile,  in  word  and  writing,  as  to  the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the  radia- 
ting centre  of  the  Christian  church. 

But  it  must  be  written  as  well  as  spoken,  because  the  word  in  the  ear  is 
evanescent,  compared  with  that  word  written  and  pictured  to  the  eye  on 
parchment.  The  command  to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  is  not  ful- 
filled, when  only  spoken  to  those  whom  we  see  and  who  can  hear.  Were 
speaking  the  only  way  of  preaching,  then  the  deaf  could  never  have  the  gos- 
pel preached  to  them.  In  that  case,  Paul  could  not,  with  truth,  have  said 
that  "Moses  was  preached  every  Sabbath  day,  being  read  in  the  syna- 
gogues." 

We  sometimes  converse  with  the  present  as  well  as  the  absent,  by  signs 
addressed  to  the  eye.  Words  spoken  are  only  for  those  present.  Hence 
the  necessity  that  an  age  of  apostles  and  prophets  should  be  an  age  of 
writing  as  well  as  of  speaking  a  finished  language.  And  such  was  the  era 
of  the  Jews'  religion  ;  but  still  more  emphatically,  such  was  the  Christian 
era. 

The  great  revelations  of  the  Bible  originated  in  ages  and  countries  of  the 
highest  civilization  and  mental  advancement.  Egypt  was  the  cradle  of  the 
learning  and  wisdom  of  the  world  when  Moses,  the  prophet,  the  lawgiver 
and  oracle  of  Jehovah,  was  born.  From  Egypt  radiated  the  light  of  the 
world  under  the  reign  of  the  Pharaohs.  And  Moses  was  profoundly  read 
in  all  the  learning  of  the  Egyptians.  He  was  therefore  chosen  to  speak  to 
his  contemporaries,  and  to  write  for  posterity  the  oracles  of  God. 

Jesus  the  Messiah  was  born  at  the  city  of  David ;  educated  neither  in 
Egypt  nor  in  Nazareth,  but  from  heaven,  by  a  plenary  inhabitation  of  a  divine 
nature  and  a  divine  spirit.  He  taught  in  Jei-usalem,  in  the  temple,  and  in 
the  presence  of  the  Rabbis,  and  Scribes,  and  Elders  of  Israel.  Christianity 
was  first  preached,  instituted  and  received  in  Jerusalem,  and  thence  radiated 
through  Asia,  Africa  and  Europe.  It  was  written  in  the  most  finished  lan- 
guage ever  spoken  on  earth,  so  far  as  a  copiousness,  a  richness  of  terms,  a 
perspicuity,  a  precision,  as  well  as  a  majesty  and  grandeur  of  style,  enter 
into  the  constituency  of  language.  Hence  the  pen,  alike  with  the  tongue, 
was  employed  in  giving  utterance  and  free  circulation  to  the  word  of  Life, 
from  its  first  promulgation  to  the  final  amen  of  the  apocalypse. 

The  Holy  Spirit  and  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  did  not  cease  to  work  with 
the  age  of  the  apostles.  Preaching  and  teaching,  writing  and  translating 
from  language  to  language,  the  word  and  works  of  God — the  sayings,  the 
doings,  and  the  sufferings  of  the  Saviour — began  and  prosecuted  Avith  un- 
tiring energy  and  assiduity  by  the  original  apostles  and  evangelists  of  Christ, 
was  still  continued,  with  zealous  diligence,  by  the  succeeding  age.  Peter 
was  not  the  only  man  of  his  day  that  said,  "  I  will  carefully  endeavor  that 
you  may  be  able,  after  my  decease,  to  have  these  things  always  in  remem- 
brance." This  was  the  spirit  of  all  the  family  of  God,  capable  of  such  an 
instrumentality. 


ADDRESS    OF   ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  21 

In  the  2d  century,  we  find  the  whole  Bible,  Old  Testament  and  New, 
translated  into  the  Syriac  tongue.  The  oldest,  most  literal,  simple,  and 
exact  version  in  that  language,  is  called  the  Peschito,  or  the  Literal,  because 
of  its  great  fidelity  to  the  original  text.  In  after  times,  other  versions  were 
published  in  the  same  tongue. 

Egypt  was  favored  at  an  early  d&y  with  two  versions— one  in  the  Coptic, 
for  the  lower,  and  one  in  Sahidic,  for  the  upper  Egyptians.  Of  thfe  Arabic, 
Ethiopic,  Armenian,  Persian,  Gothic,  Sclavonian.  and  Anglo-Saxon  versions, 
we  cannot  now  speak  particularly.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  philanthropy 
of  the  gospel,  wrought  more  effectually  than  that  of  the  law,  in  giving 
version  after  version  of  the  law  and  the  gospel  to  the  nations  and  tribes  that 
embraced  it. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Christian  church,  the  Roman  empire  stretched 
from  the  Rhine  and  the  Danube,  on  the  north,  to  the  Sandy  Deserts  of 
Arabia  and  Africa  on  the  south ;  and  from  the  River  Euphrates,  on  the  east, 
to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  on  the  west.  Over  this  vast  extent  of  territory  their 
language  was,  more  or  less,  spoken.  Important,  therefore,  it  was,  that  the 
Living-  Oracles  should  find,  in  that  tongue,  a  passport  to  every  province 
that  acknowledged  the  supremacy  of  Rome.  Versions  of  the  gospels  and 
epistles,  in  that  tongue,  early  began  to  multiply.  One  had  obtained  a  free 
circulation  through  parts  of  Africa;  but  after  considerable  competition, 
another,  of  acknowledged  superiority,  began  to  triumph  over  all  its  Roman 
rivals,  under  the  name  of  the  "  Itala,"  or  "  Old  Italic." 

"When  Jerome  had  risen  to  some  conspicuity,  the  Itala  was  pronounced 
canonical.  This  version,  containing  both  Testaments,  was  made  from  the 
Greek.  Hebrew  scholars,  capable  of  correctly  translating  the  Hebrew 
Bible,  could  not  then  be  found.  The  first  half  of  the  2d  century  is  generally 
agreed  to  have  been  the  time  when  the  Old  Itala  first  made  its  appearance. 
During  that  century,  it  was  certainly  quoted  by  Tertuhan.  But,  as  Home 
judiciously  remarks,  before  the  4th  century  had  closed,  alterations  and  differ- 
ences, either  designed  or  accidental,  had  equalled  in  number  the  interpolations 
found  in  the  Greek  versions  before  corrected  by  Origen.  Pope  Damasus 
assigned  the  work  of  revision  to  Jerome,  who  conformed  it  much  more  to 
the  Greek.  But  this  only  induced  Jerome  to  attempt  a  new  version  of  the 
Old  Testament,  from  the  Hebrew  into  Latin,  for  the  benefit  of  the  western 
church.  Still,  notwithstanding  the  reputation  of  St.  Jerome,  and  the 
authority  of  Pope  Damasus,  the  version  was  introduced  by  slow  degrees, 
least  weak  minds  might  stumble.  But  through  the  partiality  of  Gregory  I., 
it  gradually  rose  to  ascendency,  so  that  ever  since  the  7th  century,  under 
the  name  of  the  Vulgate  version,  it  was  extensively  adopted  by  the  whole 
Roman  church. 

The  Council  of  Trent,  convoked  by  Paul  III.,  A.  D.,  1545,  continued  under 
Julius  X.,  and  consummated  under  Pius  IV.,  A.  D.,  15G3,  after  a  session  of 
eighteen  years,  decreed  it  to  be  authentic,  and  commanded  that  the  Vulgate 


22  APPENDIX. 

alone  should  be  read,  wherever  the  Bible  is  commanded  to  be  read,  and  used 
in  all  sermons,  expositions  and  discussions.  Henceforth  it  was  of  equal 
authority  with  the  originals  :  so  that  it  was  as  lawful  to  correct  the  originals 
by  the  Vulgate,  as  the  Vulgate  by  the  originals.  Romanists  still  prefer  to 
translate  from  the  Vulgate,  rather  than  from  the  originals. 

In  course  of  time,  the  Old  Itala  and  the  Vulgate  became  so  mixed  up  that 
both  fell  into  great  confusion,  and  were  interspersed  with  many  and  great 
errors.  Hence  originated  Stephens'  seven  critical  editions  of  the  Vulgate, 
extending  from  A.  D.,  1528,  to  A.  D.,  154G — a  period  commensurate  with 
the  sessions  of  the  Council  of  Trent.  The  Doctors  of  the  Sorbonne  con- 
demned them,  and  ordered  a  n^w  edition  by  John  Hortensius,  of  Louvain, 
which  was  finished  in  1547.  But  yet  another  improved  version  was  called 
for,  and  finished  in  1586,  with  critical  notes,  by  Lucas  Brugensis.  Finally, 
however,  it  was  condemned  by  Pope  Sixtus  V..  who  commanded  a  new 
edition,  and  having  himself  corrected  the  proofs,  he  pronounced  it,  by  all  the 
authority  of  his  chair,  to  be  the  authentic  Vulgate ;  and,  issuing  a  folio 
edition,  commanded  it  to  be  adopted  throughout  the  Roman  church. 

But  notwithstanding  the  labors  of  the  Pope  and  the  seal  of  his  infallible 
decree,  this  edition  was  discovered  to  be  so  exceedingly  incorrect,  that  his 
successor,  the  infallible  Clement  VIII.,  caused  it  to  be  suppressed,  and  pub- 
lished another  authentic  Vulgate,  in  folio  size,  in  1592,  differing,  more  than 
any  other  edition,  from  that  of  Sixtus  V.  These  facts  are  a  full  refutation, 
if  we  had  nothing  else  to  allege,  of  all  the  pretensions  of  Bellarmine  and 
the  See  of  Rome,  in  favor  of  the  Vulgate.  Some  learned  men,  of  much 
leisure,  have  marked  and  counted  out  several  hundreds  of  differences  between 
these  two  authentic  and  infallible  translations ;  many  of  them,  too,  of  a 
very  grave  and  serious  import.  Thus  stand  the  two  infallibles — Sixtus  V. 
and  Clement  VIII.,  in  direct  contradiction. 

Other  improved  Latin  versions,  from  time  to  time  appeared,  to  the  num- 
ber of  some  ten  or  eleven,  half  of  them  by  Protestants  and  half  by  Romanists. 
Of  those  made  by  Catholics,  that  by  Erasmus,  and  of  those  made  by  Protes- 
tants, that  by  Beza,  is  prominent.  So  far  the  spirit  of  improved  versions, 
obtained  down  to  the  era  of  the  Protestant  Reformation. 

We  have  not  yet  noted  the  growth  and  prevalence  of  this  principle  in 
Germany  or  in  our  mother  land  and  language.  These  are  matters  rather 
too  familiar  to  deserve  much  notice  at  present.  Still,  that  we  may  farther 
demonstrate  the  very  general  acknowledgment  of  the  moral  and  Christian 
obligation  to  print  and  publish  in  writing,  as  well  as  by  the  tongue,  the 
oracles  of  God,  and  that  in  the  most  correct  and  improved  style  and  use  of 
language,  we  must,  at  least,  notice  the  interest  that  Germany  and  Great 
Britain  have  taken  in  this  work. 

As  the  art  of  printing  is  the  fruit  of  German  genius,  we  might,  in  the 
absence  of  history,  presume  that  the  Bible  would  have  been  amongst  the 
first  fruits  of  the  press,  and  that  it  would  have  a  freer  course  through 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  23 

German}'  than  in  any  other  country  in  Europe  or  the  world.  And  sucli,  in  part, 
is  the  fact.  The  Bible  was  first  printed  and  published  in  Germany,  and  in 
the  vernacular  of  its  inhabitants.  In  148G  a  German  translation  from  the 
Vulgate  was  printed,  the  author  of  which  is  unknown. 

In  1517  jNIartin  Luther  began  first  to  publish  and  print  scraps  of  the 
Bible,  which  he  continued  until  he  got  through  with  the  whole  book.  His 
translation  of  the  whole  Bible,  from  the  Hebrew  and  Greek  originals, 
assisted  by  JNIelancthon,  Cruciger,  and  other  learned  professors  of  Hebrew 
and  Greek,  was  first  issued  from  the  press  in  1530,  and  passed  through  three 
improved  editions  before  the  close  of  1545. 

From  Luther's  version  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  no  less  than  ten  versions 
were  derived,  and  it  became  the  occasion  of  many  others.  But  this  justly 
celebrated  work  of  the  great  Reformer  was  its-elf  improved,  at  least  revised, 
by  the  Zuinglians  and  Calvinists,  and  numerous  new  editions  of  it  circulated 
through  Germany  and  its  dependencies,  down  to  the  year  1G59. 

Besides  that  of  Luther,  other  versions  were  printed  and  circulated  on  the 
continent.  The  Zurich  version,  Piscator's,  from  that  of  Junius  and  Tremel- 
lius,  with  several  Romanist  versions. 

We  pass  from  Germany  to  Britain.  Authentic  history  we  have  not  of 
the  commencement  of  translations  into  the  languages  spoken  in  Great 
Britain.  Saxon  versions  of  parts  of  the  Holy  Oracles  were  made  in  that 
island  as  early  as  the  beginning  of  the  eighth  century.  Adhelm's  name  is 
associated  with  a  version  of  the  Psalms  as  early  as  A.  D.,  706.  The  four 
gospels  made  by  Egbert,  appeared  a  few  years  after,  and  that  was  followed 
by  a  translation  of  the  whole  Bible  by  the  venerable  Bede.  Two  centuries 
after,  appeared  a  new  version  of  the  Psalms,  by  King  Alfred.  An  unknown 
individual  translated  into  English  the  whole  Bible  about  the  year  1290  ; 
copies  of  which  are  yet  extant  in  some  public  libraries. 

In  A.  D.,  1380,  John  WicklifFe  translated  the  whole  Bible,  from  the  Vul- 
gate into  the  current  English  of  that  day  ;  it  was  first  printed  in  1731.  To 
William  Tindal  we  are  indebted  for  the  first  printed  English  Bible.  It  was 
issued  from  the  press  at  Antwerp  or  Hamburg,  A.  D.,  1520.  His  revised 
English  Testament  appeared  in  1534.  In  1535  ^liles  Covcrdale  gave  a  new 
English  version  of  the  whole  Bible.  This  was  the  first  Bible  allowed  by 
•  Royal  authority.  The  fictitious  Mathew^s  Bible,  issued  from  politic  reasons 
under  this  name,  was,  for  the  most  part,  Tindal's  version  disguised.  This 
edition,  printed  abroad,  appeared  in  A.  D.,  1537.  'Cranmcr's  version  of  the 
New  Testament,  with  its  last  corrections,  appeared  in  1530.  The  Geneva 
version  in  1557;  the  Bishops'  Bible  in  15C8  ;  the  Rheims  in  1582;  and  the 
Authorized  Common  Version  in  1611.  Concerning  these,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  last,  we  will  not  now  speak  particularly. 

The  time  usually  allotted  for  a  single  address,  is  not  more  than  sufficient 
to  name  and  describe  the  numerous  and  various  versions  through  which  the 
Holy  Scriptures  have  passed.     We  have  not  even  named  all  the  versions 

5 


24  APPENDIX. 

made  in  our  own  vernacular.  Wc  have  simply  made  selections  for  a  specific 
purpose.  Those  named  are  sufHcient  to  show  that  the  professed  Church  of 
Christ  has,  in  all  ages,  acted  upon  the  principle  that  the  scriptures  should  be 
accurately  translated,  and  more  or  less  circulated,  amongst  at  least  a  portion 
of  the  people.  Protestants  say,  through  all  the  people.  Romanists  have 
said,  and  still  say,  only  through  a  portion  of  the  people. 

But  the  precise  question  now  before  you,  my  Christian  brethren,  is  not, 
whether  the  Scriptures  should  be  translated  into  every  tongue  spoken  by 
mankind,  but  whether  they  should  be  translated  into  the  current  language 
of  every  age.  Indeed,  you  take  the  ground  that  the  Scriptures  are  not 
translated  into  any  language,  unless  the  true  import  of  the  original  text  is 
perspicuously  and  faithfullj^  given  in  the  living  language  of  the  people.  For 
this  reason  you  justly  olyect  to  the  translation  usually  called  "  The  Author- 
ized Common  Version."  You  say  it  is  not  authorized  by  God,  because  he 
would  not  authorize  an  erroneous  version.  A  king,  a  court,  a  parliament,  a 
political  corporation,  or  a  secular  church,  authorizing  any  version,  correct 
or  incorrect,  you  regard  as  an  assumption,  on  their  part,  of  spiritual  juris- 
diction over  the  consciences  of  men  ;  you  regard  it  as  a  species  of  spiritual 
despotism,  of  ecclesiastic  tyranny  and  usurpation. 

That  a  Christian  community  may  adopt  any  new  version,  or  authorize 
any  number  of  its  members  to  prepare  a  version  which  shall  correctly  and 
perspicuously  set  forth,  in  the  currency  of  the  age,  the  import  of  the  original 
Scriptures,  you  cheerfully  admit.  But  that  such  is  not  the  commonly  re- 
ceived and  frequently''  styled  the  "Authorized  Version,"  you  conscientiously 
think  and  affirm. 

That  this  is  a  rational,  scriptural,  and  Christian  position,  in  our  judgment, 
we  most  religiously  avow.  But  before  proceeding  further,  let  us  summarily 
and  distinctly   state  the  premises  already  submitted  : 

I.  It  has  been  alleged,  that  the  command  to  "preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  implies  that  it  must  not  only  be  spoken,  but  written  in  the  lan- 
guages of  all  nations. 

II.  That  such  was  the  judgment  and  understanding  of  the  apostles  and 
primitive  evangelists  of  Christ,  is  proved  from  the  fact,  that  both  the  apos- 
tles commissioned  by  the  Saviour,  and  certain  evangelists  not  directly  com- 
missioned by  him,  both  spoke  and  wrote  the  gospel.  The  gospels  preserved, 
written  by  John  Mark  and  Doctor  Luke,  are  imperishable  monuments  of 
this  fact. 

III.  That  Jesus  Christ  commanded  his  communications  to  the  churches 
to  be  written^  and  to  be  carried  by  messengers,  called  in  our  common  ver- 
sion angels  of  the  churches,  and  to  be  by  them  delivered  to  the  churches, 
is  also  another  evidence  of  the  same  fact. 

IV.  That  the  gospels  and  apostolic  epistles  were  to  be  translated  into  the 
languages  of  the  nations  and  people  to  whom  they  were  sent,  is  evident — 
first,  from  the  miraculous  gift  of  tongues  conferred  at  the  commencement 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  25 

of  the  church  in  Jerusalora,  and  continued  to  the  end  of  the  gospel  ministry, 
contained  in  the  inspired  writings.  We  not  only  observe  that  this  gift  was 
instantly  and  simultaneously  bestowed  on  all  the  apostles,  for  the  purpose 
of  translating  the  whole  Christian  revelation  into  all  the  languages  of  the 
people  addressed  by  them,  but  also  continued  with  them  to  the  end  of  their 
lives.  It  was  also  bestowed,  supornaturally,  on  Paul,  born  out  of  due  time, 
and  in  a  superabundant  degree,  so  that  he  could  speak  in  Gentile  cities,  in 
more  tongues  than  any  other  member  of  tliose  churches,  though  many  of 
them,  also,  possessed  this  supernatural  spiritual  endowment  in  eminent 
measures. 

V.  The  necessity  and  importance  of  translations,  in  order  to  the  ends  of 
the  Christian  mission,  is  also  shown  in  the  care  taken  by  all  the  writers  of 
the  New  Testament,  to  translate  every  foreign,  word  and  quotation  intro- 
duced into  their  writings.  For  example,  the  word  Messiah  is  interpreted 
to  aliens  from  the  commonwealth  of  Israel ;  so  are  the  words  Cephas^  Si- 
loam,  Tabitha,  Elymas,  Talitha-cumi,  Barnabas,  <^c. 

VI.  The  necessity  is  further  shown,  that  in  the  primitive  churches  there 
were  official  translators  immediately  raised  up  for  the  emergency.  "  To  one 
class,"  says  Paul,  "  is  given  the  gift  of  tongues ;  to  another,  the  interpreta- 
tion or  translation  of  tongues." 

VII.  An  apostolic  edict  is  given  by  Paul,  on  the  subject  of  interpretation. 
1  Cor.  14 :  27 — "  If  any  man  speak  in  a  (foreign  or)  unknown  tongue,  let 
it  be  by  two,  or  at  most  by  three  (sentences  at  a  time),  and  let  one  translate ; 
but  if  there  be  no  interpreter,  let  him  keep  silence  in  the  church." 

Are  not  these  conclusive  evidences  that  the  Church  of  Christ,  in  the  dis- 
charge of  its  duties  and  obligations,  must  have  interpreters  of  Scripture, 
and  make  translations  commensurate  with  the  wants  of  mankind  ? 

Regarding  this,  henceforth,  to  be  an  established  point,  we  shall  advance 
another  step  towards  our  goal.  It  is,  perhaps,  rather  a  formality  on  our 
part,  than  a  necessity  imposed  on  us,  to  show  that  we  are  as  much  obliged, 
and  by  all  the  reasons  and  authority  hitherto  adduced  in  favor  of  origina' 
translations,  to  amend,  improve,  and  correct  obscure,  imperfect,  and  erroneous 
versions  of  particular  words  and  passages  in  existing  translations,  which,  in 
the  main,  arc  true  to  the  original,  and  in  terms  well  adapted  to  the  under- 
standing of  the  reader,  as  we  are  to  give  new  versions  in  languages  and  dia- 
lects into  which  the  gospel  has  never  been  introduced. 

But  this,  on  grave  reflection,  must  appear  to  all.  a  point  already  ahnost, 
if  not  altogether,  universally  conceded.  Our  object,  in  the  preceding  part 
of  our  discourse,  (and  a  rather  dry  and  irksome  task  it  is,)  in  giving  a  sum- 
mary view  of  the  labors  of  the  Christian  ministry  and  the  church,  was  to 
show  that  the  necessity  of  amended  versions,  as  well  as  of  new  versions, 
■was  felt  and  acted  on  in  every  century  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  by  the 
most  enlightened  and  gifted  portions  of  it.  True,  many  of  these  amended 
versions  were  made  from  the  original  tongues,  but  not  as  the  fii'st  versions 


26  APPENDIX. 

from  these  tongues  were  made.  These  amending  translators  had  other  ver- 
sions from  the  original,  in  the  same  language  or  in  other  languages,  which 
they  understood,  and  with  which  they  compared  their  own  version,  and 
were,  more  or  less,  led  by  them  on  many  occasions,  adopting  the  verbiage 
of  their  predecessors.  It  is  questionable  whether  we  have  ever  had  two  in- 
dependent and  original  versions  in  one  vernacular.  But  this  is  no  defect  in 
them.  It  is  often  an  advantage.  For,  in  all  such  cases,  we  have  two  wit- 
nesses instead  of  one,  of  the  verity  and  appropriateness  of  the  last  version. 

We  have  only  one  step  farther  to  advance  in  this  direction.  "We  must 
affirm  the  conviction,  that  we  arc,  as  Christian  churches,  bound  by  the 
highest  and  holiest  motives  and  obligations,  to  use  our  best  endeavors  to 
have  the  original  scriptures  exactly  and  faithfully,  in  every  particular,  to  the 
best  of  our  knowledge  and  belief,  translated  at  home  and  abroad,  into  the 
vernacular,  be  it  what  it  may,  in  which  we  desire  to  present  them  to  our 
fellow-men.  Any  thing  short  of  this  is  a  sinful  and  most  condemnable 
negligence  or  indifference.  It  is  a  clear  and  unambiguous  transgression  of 
the  supreme  law  of  Christian  morality — viz:  "  All  things  whatsoever  you 
would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  you  even  so  to  them,  for  this  is  the 
law  and  the  prophets."  "  Speak  to  them  all  that  I  command  thee,"  is  the 
oracle  of  God  to  his  prophet.  "  And,"  says  Paul,  "  the  things  thou  hast 
heard  of  me  in  the  presence  of  many  witnesses,  the  same  commit  thou  to 
faithful  men  that  shall  be  able  to  teach  others  also."  We  must  neither  add 
to,  nor  subtract  aught  from,  the  word  of  Jehovah. 

But  there  is  another  attitude  in  which  this  subject  must  be  placed  before 
our  minds.  Passages  of  scripture  will,  translated  into  any  one  language  in 
one  age,  cease  to  be  a  correct  and  intelligible  translation  to  the  people  of 
another  age  yet  speaking,  at  least  in  name,  the  same  language.  Our  English 
versions  demonstrate  this  in  a  very  clear  and  satisfactory  manner. 

No  one,  unskilled  in  the  history  of  our  vernacular,  can  easily  appreciate 
the  changes  it  has  undergone  during  even  the  last  three  centuries.  I  will 
furnish,  by  way  of  illustration  or  demonstration,  an  example  or  two  of  these 
changes.  We  shall  first  give  a  specimen  of  the  hundredth  Psalm,  found  in 
the  preface  to  the  English  Hexapla.  It  represents  the  English  language  five 
hundred  years  ago : 

"Mirthes  to  God  al  erthe  that  63 
Serves  to  louerd  iu  faines. 
In  go  yhe  ai  in  liis  silit, 
Jn  pladnos  that  is  so  briht. 
Whites  that  loiierd  God  is  he  thus, 
He  us  made  and  our  self  noht  us, 
His  foke  and  shep  of  his  fode  : 
In  gos  his  yhates  that  are  gode  : 
Iu  schrift  his  worches  believe, 
In  ynipnes  to  him  yhe  schrive 
Heryhes  his  name  for  louerde  his  honde 
In  ul  his  raerci  do  in  streude  and  strende." 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.  27 

In  1380,  Wickliffe's  version,  now  before  me,  gives  the  Lord's  Prayer — 
Matt.  G  :  9 — in  the  following  orthography  and  orthoepy : 

"  Oure  fadir  that  art  in  heuencs  halowid  be  tlii  name,  thi  kingdom  come,  to  be  thi  wille  don 
in  erthe  as  in  lieuenc,  g(!ve  to  us  this  day  oure  breed,  ouir  other  subst  auncc  forgeue  to  vs  oure 
dettis,  as  we  forguen  to  oure  dettouris,  ledo  us  not  into  teniptacion ;  but  delyuer  us  from  yuel, 
amen." 

We  shall  now  add  a  specimen  from  the  Rheims  Translation,  first  given  to 
the  world  in  1582 — 268  years  ago.     It  is  the  Commission,  Matthew  28 : 

"  Al  power  is  glun  to  me  in  heauen  and  in  erthe  ;  going  therfore  teach  ye  al  nations  baptizing 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  tlic  sonne  and  of  the  holy  ghost,  teaching  them  to  ob- 
serue  al  things  vvhatsoeuer  I  haue  commanded  you,  and  beliold  I  am  with  you  al  daies." 

We  need  scarcely  say  that  such  a  style  is  awkward,  uncouth,  and  unintel- 
ligible ;  and  had  the  Holy  Oracles  continued  in  this  garb  till  this  day,  and 
our  language  and  literature,  in  other  departments,  have  progressed  as  they 
have,  the  reading  and  study  of  them  would  have  been  very  uninteresting 
and  unacceptable  to  our  contemporaries.  If  in  no  other  respect  faulty — if 
every  word  and  sentence  had  been  a  perfect  exponent  of  the  mind  of  the 
Holy  Spirit — other  terms  and  formulas  of  speech,  or,  in  other  words,  a  new 
and  modernized  version  of  them,  would  have  been  indispensable. 

But  this  is  not  all  that  may  or  must  be  urged  in  behalf  of  a  new,  or 
rather,  an  improved  version.  The  word  of  God  was  not,  a  century  or  two 
since,  as  well  understood  as  it  is  now,  by  the  most  enlightened  and  reformed 
portions  of  Protestant  Christendom.  Biblical  literature,  criticism,  and 
science,  compared  with  the  times  of  WicklifTe,  Tindal,  Luther,  Calvin, 
Zuinglie,  Beza,  Cranmer,  Coverdale,  Archbishop  Parker,  Edward  VI,  or 
James  I,  have  greatly  advanced.  The  last  seventy-five  years  have  contributed 
more  to  real  Biblical  learning — have  given  to  the  Christian  Church  larger 
and  better  means  of  translating  the  original  Scriptures — than  had  accumu- 
lated from  the  days  of  Tindal  to  the  era  of  the  American  Revolution. 

We  are,  therefore,  better  prepared  to  give  a  correct  and  faithful  version 
of  the  Sacred  Scriptures,  at  this  day,  than  at  any  former  period  since  the 
revival  of  literature.  We  have,  also,  a  more  correct  original  from  which  to 
translate,  than  thej'-  had  at  any  former  period  since  the  art  of  printing  was 
invented.  The  Greek  text  of  the  New  Testament  has  been  subjected  to  the 
most  laborious  investigation ;  and  after  the  most  rigid  scrutiny  and  com- 
parison, a  much  more  accurate  original  has  been  obtained.  With  these 
advantages  in  our  favor,  we  are  better  furnished  than  at  an}^  former  period, 
to  enter  upon  a  work  of  this  awful  and  momentous  magnitude  and  responsi 
bility. 

But,  that  we  may  be  more  deeply  penetrated  with  a  sense  of  its  necessity 
and  importance,  we  must  give  a  few  samples  of  the  aberrations  and  mistrans- 
lations of  the  commonly  received  version  ;  and  first,  we  shall  read  the  usual 
title-page  of  the  Christian  Scriptures  :  "  The  New  Testament  of  our  Lord 
and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.^'' 


28  APPENDIX. 

While  all  the  words  found  in  this  title  are  found  in  the  text  itself,  the  title 
itself  is  no  part  of  the  text  or  volume,  but  is  an  ecclesiastical  name  put  upon 
it,  as  an  index  to  its  contents.  It  is,  therefore,  an  index  to  the  mind  of  those 
who  prefixed  it  to  the  volume,  and  much  aflects  their  reputation  as  to  a  clear 
and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  writings  it  contains.  I  assume  that  no 
one,  well  instructed  in  the  volume  itself,  could  have  given  to  it  this  title. 

A  testament  or  will^  with  us,  is  now,  and  for  a  long  time  has  been,  appro- 
priated to  one  particular  instrument,  setting  forth  the  final  disposition  of  a 
person's  estate.  But  in  that  case,  it  indicates  that  the  testator  is  dead,  and 
that  this  is  the  last  disposition  he  has  made  of  his  effects.  How.  then,  does 
this  apply  to  a  volume  containing  not  only  the  memoirs  of  Jesus,  but  writ- 
ings of  six  of  his  apostles  and  two  of  his  evangelists  ?  Again  :  Is  the  testa- 
tor dead  ?  That  he  died,  is  true  ;  and  that  he  continued  dead  a  few  hours, 
is  also  true  ;  but  that  he  ever  lives  and  never  shall  die,  is  m.ost  gloriously 
true.  Again :  Did  Jesus,  during  his  life,  make  two  testaments  or  two 
wills  ?  This  is  called,  not  a  New  Testament,  but  the  New  Testament  of 
Jesus  Christ.  Where  learned  they  the  contents  of  the  Old  Testament  of 
Jesus  Christ !  Have  we  a  copy  of  his  iirst  will  ?  Now,  if  no  such  document 
ever  was,  is  now,  or  shall  hereafter  be,  why,  in  reason  and  in  truth,  give  it 
such  a  cognomen,  rather  such  a  misnomer  ?  There  is  no  such  will  or  testa- 
tament  on  earth  as  the  New  Testament  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ.  He  never  made  an  old  one,  and  he  is  not  dead,  but  lives  forever,  a 
priest  upon  his  throne,  not  according  to  the  law  of  a  fleshly  commandment, 
but  according  to  the  power  of  an  endless  life. 

Nor  would  it  relieve  the  title  page  from  the  error,  had  it  been  styled 
"  The  New  Covenant  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,^''  for  that  would  indicate 
that  he  is  the  author  of  two  covenants,  which  is  not  the  fact.  There  is  no 
old  covenant  of  Jesus  Christ,  and,  consequently,  there  cannot  be  a  new  cove- 
nant of  Jesus  Christ.  It  might,  in  both  grammatical  and  logical  propriety, 
be  called  the  New  Institution,  or  the  New  Covenant  by  Jesus  Christ.  But 
that,  too,  is  an  exceptionable  use  of  the  figure  synecdoche,  which  puts  a  part 
for  the  whole,  or  the  whole  for  a  part.  To  get  rid  of  a  consecrated  error,  is 
sometimes  very  difficult.  We  have  chosen  to  designate  the  book  by  calling 
it  "  The  Sacred  Writings  of  the  Apostles  and  Evangelists  of 
Jesus  Christ."  This  is  strictly  true,  and,  in  our  judgment,  enough. 
True,  we  may,  after  a  good  example  found  in  Acts  vii.,  briefily  call  the 
whole  volume  "  The  Living  Oracles." 

It  would  be  important,  could  we  classify  under  appropriate  heads  the  dif- 
ferent species  of  subordinate  errors  found  in  the  common  version ;  but  in 
such  a  discourse  as  the  present,  we  could  not  give  a  specimen  of  each.  At 
present,  we  dare  not  presume  to  give  even  a  miniature  specimen.  It  would 
require  much  more  time  and  reflection  than  we  have  at  command.  I  shall, 
therefore,  as  they  occur,  give  a  few  cases,  that  may  suggest  to  some  one  of 
more  leisure  and  capacity  the  necessity  and  expediency  of  such  an  effort. 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL. 


29 


First  then,  we  shall  name  and  illustrate  an  instance  or  two  m  the  use  of 
the  Greek  article,  ho,  hee,  to.  Though  apparently  a  small  matter,  there  are 
some  serious  errors  in  the  use  of  the  article.  A  Greek  noun,  with  the  arti- 
cle is  always  definite  ;  without  it,  always  indefinite. 

in  Matthew  xvi.,  13-18,  the  moral  and  evangelical  foundation  of  the 
Christian  Church  is  stated  by  its  Founder  in  a  very  formal  and  inspiring 
manner  The  question  was,  "  Who  do  men  say  that  I  the  Son  of  Man 
am'i''  Peter  responds,  "  Some  say  John  the  Baptist,  others  Elijah,  others 
Jeremiah,  or  some  one  of  the  prophets."  •'  But  who  do  you  say  that  I 
am  r     Simon  Peter  answering,  said,  "  Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the 

Living  God." 

After  pronouncing  a  benediction  on  Peter,  he  said  to  him,  •  Thou  art  a 
stone  and  on  this  rock  I  will  build  my  church,  and  the  gates  of  Hades  shall 
not  prevail  against  it."  Now,  to  have  answered  this  interesting  interroga- 
tory by  saying,  "  Thou  art  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Living  God,"  would  have 
given  quite  a  different  idea.  It  would  have  been  merely  a  personal  name,  as 
Sergius  Paulus,  John  Mark,  or  Simon  Peter.  And  so  has  the  common  ver- 
sion made  it  on  another  and  a  very  important  occasion.  1  Cor.  iii.  11,  Paul 
is  made  to  say,  "  Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  which  is  laid, 
which  is  Jesus  Christ."  The  church,  according  to  this  version,  is  built  upon 
Jesus  Christ,  and  not  upon  the  faith  ''Jesus  is  the  Christ^  as  the  true 
original  reading  and  the  common  Greek  text  have  it.*  Now,  there  is  just 
as  much  diff-ercnce  between  Jesus  Christ  and  Jesus  the  Christ,  as  between 
John  Baptist  and  John  the  Baptist,  Paul  Apostle  and  Paul  the  Apostle, 
George  King  and  George  the  King.  It  may  be  loyalty  or  treason,  as  the 
case  may  be,  to  say  George  is  the  King  ;  but  neither  the  one  or  the  other  to 
call  any  man  George  King.  Infidels  talk  fluently  concerning  Jesus  Christ, 
but  they  will  not,  in  the  proper  meaning  of  the  terms,  say,  ''  Jesus  is  the 

Christ.'' 

The  same  law  of  interpretation  applies  to  the  use  of  the  word  spirit. 
Pneuma  is  simply  spirit ;  to  pneuma.  the  Spirit. 

Frequently  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the  Spirit,  indicate  the  same  person.  But 
without  the  article,  unless  some  qualifying  adjunct  be  annexed,  it  means 
simply  a  spirit,  or  the  spirit  of  a  man,  and  not  the  Spirit  of  God. 

There  is  no  article  in  the  following  instances  :  ''  If  any  fellowship  of  the 
spirit ;"  "  Which  worship  God  in  the  spirit ;"  "  You  live  in  the  spirit  f^ 
"  Through  sanctification  of  the  spirit ;"  "  He  carried  me  away  in  the  spirit ;" 
"  Immediately  I  was  in  the  spirit."  In  all  these  cases  there  being  no  article 
in  the  original,  there  should  be  no  definite  article  in  the  translation. 

But  in  the  following  cases  the  article  is  found :  "  The  sword  of  the  Spirit;" 
«  The  fruit  of  the  Spirit ;"  "  Let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  ;"  "  Keep 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  which  dwellcth  in  us."    In  these  and  many  such  the 

*  Gricsbach  repudiates  the  article  ;  but  the  best  Greek  texts  have  it.  It  is  ho  Christos  in 
my  London  Polyglott,  as  it  is  iu  Matthew  xvi.  17,  iu  the  received  text. 


80 


APPENDIX. 


article  indicates  that  it  is  the  Si^irit  of  God  that  is  meant.  "  That  which  is 
born  of  the  Spirit  is  spirit."  This  is  a  striking  example;  i^e  Spirit  here 
means  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  ;  and  that  which  is  born  of  it  is  spirit,  a  new 
spirit)  or  a  new  heart,  disposition,  or  temper. 

But  there  is  a  perspicacity  of  mind  and  a  delicacy  of  taste  essential  to  a 
precise  and  accurate  transference  of  some  ideas  from  one  tongue  to  another, 
which  is  peculiarly  necessary  in  the  case  of  translating  Greek  nouns  without 
an  article,  and  for  which  no  rules  of  grammar  can  be  furnished. 

Our  translators  did  not  alwaj^s  display  this  endowment  in  an  eminent 
degree.  They  sometimes  employ  an  indefinite  article  where  they  should 
have  employed  none.  The  most  common  mind  can  perceive  a  difference 
between  7nan  without  an  article  and  man  with  an  article,  between  assuming 
that  man  cannot  do  this,  and  that  a  man  cannot  do  this  ;  between  God  and 
a  godj  between  Spirit  and  a  spirit. 

I  will  instance  this  in  the  common  version  ; — ''  God  is  a  Spirit,  and  they 
that  worship  him  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth."  "We  would 
render  it,  God  is  Spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship  him  in 
spirit  and  in  truth.  For  so  translating  it  we  might  even  plead  the  example 
of  the  same  translators  in  other  cases.  For  example,  they  render  two  pas- 
sages from  the  same  Apostle  as  I  have  done  this.  "  God  is  love,"  and  not 
God  is  a  love ;  God  is  light,  and  not  God  is  a  light.  And  even  in  the  ex- 
ample cited  from  John  4 :  24,  they  translate  in  this  manner  : — "  Tliey  that 
worship  him  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and  truth  ;"  not  in  a  spirit  and  in  a 
truth. 

We  might  say  as  they  do  of  God, — An  angel  is  a  spirit ;  but  not  that  an 
angel  is  Spirit.  To  say  of  an  angel  that  he  is  Spirit,  is  by  far  too  august 
and  sublime.     God  alone  is  Spirit,  God  alone  is  light,  God  alone  is  love. 

We  shall  next  give  an  instance  or  two  of  the  mistranslation  of  particles, 
or  the  connectives  of  speech.  Take,  for  example,  the  particle  ote,  which 
occurs  many  hundred  times  in  the  apostolic  writings.  The  more  frequent 
meanings  of  this  conjunction  are,  because,  for,  that;  which  of  these  three 
shall  be  preferred  in  any  given  passage,  must  always  be  discretionary  with 
the  translator,  and  must,  therefore,  depend  upon  his  judgment  and  taste. 
But  the  sense  of  some  passages  is  very  much  changed  or  impaired  bj^  the  in- 
judicious selection  of  an  unsuitable  representative  of  the  original.  Hence 
we  have  long  since  decided  that  no  translator,  however  extensive  his  learn- 
ing, however  well  read  in  other  books,  however  orthodox  his  creed  in  reli- 
gion, can  suitably  translate  the  New  Testament,  unless  he  have  a  thorough 
and  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  whole  remedial  scheme  of  the  gospel, 
and  the  peculiar  genius,  spirit  and  character  of  the  Christian  Institution. 
Take  an  example  or  two  in  the  case  of  this  particle  ote : 

Paul  to  the  Romans,  ch.  viii.,  20-21  :  '•  For  the  creature  (more  properly 
mankind)  was  made  subject  to  frailty,  (rather  than  vanity)  not  willingly, 
but  by  him  who  subjected  them  to  it.  in  hope  (because)  that  mankind  will 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXAADER  CAMPBELL.  31 

be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious  freedom  of  the 
sons  of  God."  How  awkward  to  say,  in  hope,  because,  instead  of,  in  hope 
that ! 

Another  instance  to  the  same  effect  is  found  in  1  John,  iii.  2.  In  the 
common  version :  "  We  know  not  what  we  shall  be,  but  we  know  that  when 
he  appeareth  we  shall  be  like  him,  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is."  This  ver- 
sion indicates  that  our  simply  seeing  him,  would  transform  us  into  his 
image.  This  is  a  cew  revelation.  But  how  much  more  in  harmony  with 
the  whole  record,  to  prefer  that  to  for,  and  read  it,  AVe  know  that  we  shall 
be  like  him — that  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is  !  There  are  hundreds  of  instances 
of  this  use  of  ote,  in  the  New  Testament  and  Septuagint. 

In  the  gender  of  pronouns  we  have  also  sundry  analogies.  A  very 
remarkable  instance  occurs  in  Dr.  George  Campbell's  version  of  the  begin- 
ning of  John.  In  his  version  it  reads  :  "  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word, 
and  the  Word  was  with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  This  was  in  the 
beginning  with  God.  All  things  were  made  by  it,  and  without  it,  not  a 
single  creature  was  made.  In  it  was  life,  and  the  life  was  the  light  of 
men." 

Now,  although  the  laws  of  the  language  will  justify  the  translation,  "  this 
was  in  the  beginning,"  there  appears  no  necessity  to  change  the  masculine 
into  the  neuter,  especially  as  Dr.  Campbell  regards  an  allusion  here  to  the 
viii.  ch.  of  Proverbs,  to  the  beautiful  personification  of  wisdom  given  in  that 
passage.  The  laws  of  rhetoric,  as  well  as  grammar,  will  justify  our  trans- 
lating it  in  harmony  with  the  gender  of  Logos,  and  with  the  style  of  Solo- 
mon in  the  passage  alluded  to.  I  always  dissent  from  this  learned,  candid, 
and  elegant  translator  of  the  four  gospels  with  great  reluctance,  and  with 
much  diffidence.  Still,  in  this  case,  as  the  word  became  incarnate  and  dwelt 
among  us,  and  was  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh,"  I  prefer,  after  considerable 
vacillation,  to  render  it,  "  All  things  were  made  by  him,  and  without  him 
was  not  any  thing  made  that  was  made.  In  him  was  life,  and  the  life  was 
the  light  of  men."  Paul  seems  to  rise  above  himself,  when  the  uncreated 
glories  of  this  most  sublime  personage  appears  before  his  mind.  "  For  by 
him,"  says  he,  "  were  all  things  created  that  are  in  the  heavens  and  that  are 
on  the  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be  thrones,  or  dominions, 
or  principalities,  or  powers  ;  all  things  were  created  by  him,  and  for  him  ; 
and  he  is  before  all  things,  and  by  him  all  things  consist ;  and  he  is  the  head 
of  the  body,  the  church,  the  beginning,  the  first  fruits  from  the  dead,  that 
in  all  things  he  might  have  the  pre-eminence :  for  it  pleased  the  Father,  that 
in  him  aU  fulness  should  dwell." 

But  we  must  notice  another  species  of  errors,  in  the  use  of  the  auxiliary 
verbs  and  signs  of  moods  and  tenses  in  our  language,  when  translating  cer- 
tain forms  of  the  original  verbs.  For  example,  may  and  can.  might,  could, 
woidd  and  shoidd,  are  used  in  our  potential  mood,  for  the  present  and  im- 
perfect tenses.     Now,  as  there  is  nothing  properly  corresponding  with 


32  APPENDIX. 

these  iu  the  origiual  Greek,  it  becomes  discretionary  with  the  translator 
whether  he  choose,  in  one  tense,  may  or  can,  and,  in  another  tense, 
might,  could,  would  or  shoidd ;  yet  we  know  that  there  is  a  very 
great  diflercuce  of  meaning,  with  us,  between  may  and  must,  and  should 
and  could,  &c. 

We  have  one  example  of  this,  which,  though  not  directly  in  point,  illus- 
trates how  much  depends  on  the  use  of  proper  exponents  of  these  varieties, 
in  harmony  with  the  sense  or  scope  of  a  passage.  We  read  it  in  Hebrews 
ii.  9  :  "  But  we  see  Jesus,  who  was  made  but  little  lower  than  the  angels, 
for  the  suffering  of  death,  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  that  he  by  the 
grace  of  God  should  taste  death  for  every  man."  Who  can  see  any  necessity 
for  being  crowned  with  glory  and  honor,  that  he  should,  or  in  order  to,  his 
tasting  death  for  all !  But,  properly  rendered,  we  see  a  great  propriety  in 
his  being  crowned  with  glory  and  honor  after  he  had  tasted  death  for  aU,  as 
Professor  Stuart  very  properly  renders  the  passage. 

But  I  have  wearied  you  and  myself,  in  thus  rambling  over  so  large  a  field, 
and  shall  only,  on  this  topic,  add  another  chapter  of  errors  and  difficulties 
into  which  most  translators  have  occasionally  fallen ;  and  that  is  in  the 
subject  of  punctuation.  The  original  text  itself  is  frequently  erroneously 
pointed,  and,  of  course,  the  translation  is  likely  to  be  also  at  fault  in  this 
particular.  As  a  specimen  of  this,  and  to  illustrate  this  species  of  error,  I 
will  only  quote  one  passage  from  the  Xew  Testament.  It  is  found  in  John 
v.,  31-47:  "If  I  bear  witness  of  myself,  my  witness  is  not  true.  There  is 
another  that  beareth  witness  of  me,  and  I  know  that  the  witness  which  he 
witnesseth  of  me,  is  true.  Ye  sent  unto  John,  and  he  bare  witness  unto 
the  truth.  But  I  receive  not  testimony  from  man  ;  but  these  things  I  say, 
that  ye  might  be  saved.  He  was  a  burning  and  a  shining  light ;  and  ye 
were  willing  for  a  season  to  rejoice  in  his  light.  But  I  have  greater  witness 
than  that  of  John  ;  for  the  works  which  the  Father  hath  given  me  to  finish, 
the  same  works  that  I  do,  bear  witness  of  me,  that  the  Father  hath  sent  me. 
And  the  Father  himself  which  hath  sent  me,  hath  borne  witness  of  me. 
Ye  have  neither  heard  his  voice  at  any  time,  nor  seen  his  shape.  And  ye 
have  not  his  word  abiding  in  you  ;  for  whom  he  hath  sent,  him  ye  believe 
not.  Search  the  Scriptures,  for  in  them  ye  think  ye  have  eternal  life,  and 
they  are  they  which  testify  of  me.  And  ye  will  not  come  to  me,  that  ye 
might  have  life.  I  receive  not  honor  from  men ;  but  I  know  you,  that  ye 
have  not  the  love  of  God  in  you.  I  am  come  in  my  Father's  name,  and  ye 
receive  me  not :  if  another  shall  come  in  his  own  name,  him  ye  will  receive. 
How  can  you  believe,  which  receive  honor  one  of  another,  and  seek  not  the 
honor  that  cometh  from  God  only  ?  Do  not  think  that  I  will  accuse  you  to 
the  Father ;  there  is  one  that  accuseth  you,  even  Moses,  in  whom  ye  trust ; 
for  had  ye  believed  Moses,  ye  would  have  believed  me,  for  he  wrote  of  me. 
But  if  ye  believe  not  his  writings,  how  shall  ye  believe  my  words?" 
Though  as  read  from  the  common  version  this  address  loses  much  of  its 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.  33 

beauty,  propriety  and  force,  it  is  one  of  the  most  clear,  forcible,  and  irresist- 
ible appeals  to  the  understanding  and  conscience,  ever  spoken. 

1st.  He  modestly  waives  his  own  testimony  in  his  own  case,  and  submits 
this  rule  of  moral  decorum,  that,  in  any  matter  of  superlative  importance, 
no  one  should  use  or  depend  on  his  own  testimony  in  support  of  his  own 
pretensions,  and  that  any  one  so  acting  would  be  unworthy  of  credit. 

2d.  lie  alleges  the  testimony  of  John  the  Harbinger  as  his  first  argument, 
and  enforces  the  regard  due  to  it  from  their  own  respect  for  John,  without 
any  commendation  of  John  to  them  on  his  part.  "  You  yourselves,  un- 
prompted by  me,  sent  to  John  to  know  what  he  had  to  say  of  himself  and 
the  ]\Iessiah ;  consequently,  of  my  claims  and  pretensions." 

od.  After  commending  John  as  a  brilliant  and  shining  luminary,  he  mod- 
estly waives  even  his  testimony,  and  urges  a  greater  evidence,  though  them- 
selves being  judges,  John's  testimony  was  the  best  human  testimony  ever 
submitted. 

4th.  He  appeals  to  his  miracles,  which  they  and  their  contemporaries  had 
already  witnessed  and  tested,  thereby  showing  and  conceding  that  any  one 
claiming  credit  on  supernatural  pretensions,  ought  to  submit  supernatural 
evidence.  He  then  recognizes  and  establishes  a  great  law  of  evidence,  viz : 
that  the  proposition  and  the  proof  should  be  homogeneous ;  physical  proposi- 
tions physical  evidence  ;  moral  propositions  moral  evidence ;  supernatural 
propositions  supernatural  evidence. 

5th.  He  then  adduces  the  literal  oracle  of  God  himself,  that  God  had 
actually,  sensibly,  and  audibly  recognized  him,  and  at  one  and  the  same 
time  addressed  their  eyes  and  their  ears.  "  Did  you  never  hear  his  voice  7" 
saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased."  "  Did  you 
never  see  his  form  ?"  alluding  to  the  symbol  of  the  descending  dove,  and  its 
perching  itself  on  his  head,  in  the  presence  of  the  people.  But  who  could 
learn  this  lesson  from  the  common  translations  ?  The  common  version,  and 
almost  every  other,  makes  our  Saviour  speak  like  a  simpleton.  After 
appealing  to  his  Father's  positive  oral  testimony  in  his  favor  at  the  Jordan, 
in  the  presence  of  a  crowd,  they  make  him  say,  "  You  have  never,  at  any 
time,  heard  his  voice."  After  appealing  to  the  symbol  of  the  Divine  Spirit 
in  the  descending  dove,  they  make  him  say,  "  You  have  never,  at  an}-  time, 
seen  his  form,"  or  outward  manifestation  of  him.  And,  farther  still,  he  is 
made  to  contradict  a  fact,  in  saying  that  they  had  not  heard  his  declaration — 
that  they  had  "  not  his  word  abiding  in  them ;"  whereas,  placed  interroga- 
tively, it  is,  "  Have  you  forgotten  his  declaration ?"  "This  is  my  beloved 
Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 

Their  position  was  that  they  never  had  heard  God  speak  of  him ;  that 
they  had  never  seen  him  attested  by  any  outward  mark  ;  that  they  had  no 
recollection  of  ever  hearing  any  confirmaLion  of  his  pretensions.  To  all 
which  he,  knowing  their  thoughts  and  reasonings,  said,  ''  Have  you  never 


34  APPEXDIX. 

heard  his  voice  ?  Ilare  you  never  seen  his  form  ?  Have  you  forgotten  what 
he  said  ?"* 

The  Saviour's  dimax  in  the  argument  is  beautifully  simple  and  subhme  : 
1.  The  testimony  of  John.  2.  His  miracles.  3.  The  public  acknowledg- 
ment of  his  Father.  4.  The  visible  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  5.  And 
finally,  the  Jewish  Scriptures — the  law  and  the  prophets.  The  common 
version  mistakes  the  imperative  mood  for  the  indicative.  It  reads, "  Search 
the  Scriptures,"  instead  of,  "  Ye  do  search  the  Scriptures:^  "  Now,"  adds 
he,  "  these  are  they  that  testify  of  me. 

He  then  explains  their  unbelief.  They  would  not  come  to  him ;  they 
would  not  place  themselves  under  his  guidance,  because — 1.  He  did  not  seek 
the  honor  of  this  world.  2.  They  were  destitute  of  the  love  of  God.  3.  He 
eame  only  in  his  Father's  name,  seeking  his  glory.  4.  They  believed  not 
the  writings  of  Moses,  while  professing  that  they  did.  5.  Their  stubborn 
prejudices,  growing  out  of  their  notions  of  a  worldly  Messiah,  a  temporal 
political  kingdom,  and  a  national  hierarchy. 

It  would  be  long  to  enumerate  the  errors  that  have  resulted  from  mis- 
punctuation,  as  well  as  from  the  other  sources  already  named.  Punctuation 
is,  indeed,  a  species  of  commentary,  as  well  as  capitals,  chapters,  verses  and 
paragraphs.  Much  depends  upon  all  these,  as  respects  our  proper  under- 
standing and  translating  these  ancient  and  venerable  documents.  We  have, 
in  the  above  example,  selected  a  strong  case,  and  expatiated  upon  it  at 
length,  to  show  how  much  depends  on  the  proper  use  of  points,  in  giving 
significance  to  words. 

Another  class  of  errors  in  the  Common  Version,  of  still  more  serious  im- 
portance, in  cases  of  words  having  dificrent  significations,  is  the  selection  of 
inapposite  and  inadequate  terms  to  express  the  meaning  of  the  Spirit,  and 
the  design  of  the  original  writer.  In  illustration  of  this  we  will  select  the 
word  paracleetos,  so  frequently  occurring  in  our  Lord's  Valedictory  Address 
to  his  Apostles,  reported  by  John,  chapters  14,  15,  16.  In  the  common 
version  it  is  represented  by  the  word  Comforter.  In  this  discoui-se  and  in 
another  place  by  the  term  advocate.  By  Dr.  George  Campbell  it  is  here 
translated  monitor;  and  by  some  other  translators,  instructor,  guide,  etc. 

Now  of  all  these  terms,  advocate  is  the  most  comprehensive  and  generic. 
An  advocate  may  guide,  instruct,  admonish,  comfort,  console,  &c.,  but  a 
comforter  does  not  generallj-  assume  the  character  of  an  advocate,  &c.  But 
we  have  more  to  commend  its  preference  in  this  context  than  its  generic 


*  I  have  examiiiRd  the  London  Polyglott  prpsented  to  me  in  Scotland,  containinfr  an  Hebrew 


versior 


nave  uAaiiiniRn  me  i/onuon  roiygioii  prpsenteu  to  itie  in  fcotiana,  containinfr  an  Heorew 
on  of  the  New  Testament ;  the  received  fireek  ;  the  Latin  Vu1?ate  ;  the  French,  tiie  German, 
the  Spanish,  tlie  Italian,  and  the  English.  I  have  also  examined  the  English  Hexapla,  containing' 
the  versions  of  Wickliffe.  Tindal,  Cranmer,  Geneva,  Rheims,  and  the  Common  Version  ;  also  the 
improved  Greek  text  of  Griosbach,  of  Scholz,  of  Mills,  and  sundry  Latin  versions,  especially 
that  of  Beza,  of  Junius  and  Tremellius,  with  other  English  versions,  and,  jndning  from  their 
punctuation,  not  one  of  theni  has  properly  understood  this  speech.  Dr,  (ieorge  Campbell  is  thb 
only  one,  in  my  judgment,  down  to  his  tinje,  that  properly  comprehended  and  punctuated  it. 

So  far  as  my  library  extends,  he  has  been  followed,  in  this  punctuation,  only  by  the  authors  of 
the  Bible  containing  20,000  emendations,  by  Boothroyd,  and  partly  by  Thompsoii. 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER   CAMPBELL.  aO 

import.  The  work  assigned  to  him  by  our  Saviour  decides  his  claims  as 
paramount.  He  promises  that  when  the  Holy  Spirit  comes  to  act  under 
Christ's  own  mission,  he  will  reprove,  convince,  and  teach  the  world.  He 
will  shew  its  sin,  Christ's  righteousness,  and  God's  judgment.  He  will 
guide  his  apostles  into  all  the  truth.  He  will  bring  all  things  that  he  had 
taught  them  to  their  remembrance.  He  will  glorify  the  Messiah  in  all  his 
personal  and  official  relations.  There  is,  indeed,  an  inelegance,  an  impro- 
priety, in  the  sentence  as  rendered  in  the  King's  version.  '•  He  will  reprove 
the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judgment."  It  might  be  asked,' 
how  could  he  reprove  the  world  of  righteousness  ?  That  he  might  reprove 
the  world  because  of  its  unrighteousness  is  evident.  That  he  might  convict 
the  world  of  its  sin  and  unrighteousness,  and  convince  it  of  Christ's  right- 
eousness and  of  the  ultimate  judgment,  we  all  can  conceive. 

I  dwell  on  this  passage  with  more  emphasis,  because  the  office  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  the  most  essential  doctrine  of  the  whole  evangelical  dispensa- 
tion. The  mission  of  the  Lord  Jesus  by  his  Father,  and  the  mission  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  by  the  Son,  after  his  glorification  in  the  heavens,  are  the  two 
most  grand  and  sublime  missions,  in  the  annals  of  time  or  in  the  ages  of 
eternity.  Jesus  Christ  came  into  the  world  to  reveal  the  character  of  his 
Father.  The  Holy  Spirit  came  to  the  church  to  glorify  Christ  and  to  sanc- 
tify his  people.  Jesus  came  to  magnify  Jehovah's  empire,  to  sustain  his 
law  and  government,  and  to  make  them  honorable  to  the  universe  ; — to  make 
reconciliation  for  iniquity,  and  to  obtain  an  eternal  redemption  for  us.  But 
the  Spirit  came  to  be  the  Holy  Guest  of  the  house  that  Jesus  built  for  an 
habitation  of  God  through  the  Spirit.  He  is  another  advocate  for  God, 
another  demonstration  of  his  infinite,  eternal  and  immutable  love. 

The  memorable  Pentecost,  after  Christ's  ascension  and  coronation  as  Lord 
of  all,  fully  attests  the  truth,  and  reveals  the  import  of  the  special  advocacy 
of  the  Holy  Spirit.  He  opened  the  new  reign  with  brilliant  displays  of  his 
glory,  gave  great  eloquence  to  his  apostles,  and  confirmed  his  pretensions 
and  their  mission,  by  an  eloquence  and  power  that  brought  three  thousand 
Jews  to  do  homage  at  his  feet. 

We  have  dwelt  upon  this  error,  not  so  much  because  of  its  mere  verbal 
inaccuracy  and  incompetency  to  indicate  the  mind  of  the  Spirit ;  but  because 
a  most  solemn  and  sublime  fact  is  involved  in  it,  which,  when  developed  and 
established,  entrenches  far  into  the  territories  of  a  cold  Unitarian  rational- 
ism, and  also  invades  the  wide  and  waste  dominions  of  a  wild  and  frenzied 
enthusiasm. 

If  any  one,  however,  should  question  its  philological  propriety,  I  will  refer 
him  to  the  fact,  that  the  whole  family  of  paracleetos  is  translated  by  even 
King  James's  authority,  in  keeping  with  these  views.  Thus  the  verb  para- 
kaleoo  is  rendered,  to  call  for,  to  invite,  to  exhort,  to  admonish,  to  per- 
suade, to  implore,  to  beseech,  to  console.  And  its  verbal  parakleesis  is 
also  rendered  a  calling  for,  an  invitation,  a  teaching  ;  and  parakleetos, 


OG  APPENDIX. 

1  John  i.  2,  is  rendered,  an  advocate.  But  no  one  terin  fully  and  adequately 
expresses  all  that  is  comprehended  in  the  mission  and  work  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit,  in  the  remedial  dispensation.  It  not  only  imparted  all  spiritual  gifts 
to  the  apostles,  prophets,  and  Jewish  evangelists  of  Christ ;  but  in  becoming 
the  Holy  Guest  of  the  church.  He  animates,  purifies,  and  comforts  it,  with 
all  his  illuminating,  renovating,  and  sanctifying  efficacy. 

But  there  are  other  sources  of  error,  growing  out  of  the  grand  and  fearful 
apbstacy  which  has  spread  its  sable  wings  and  its  leaden  sceptre  over  a 
'•slumbering  world.  The  progress  in  Bible  translating,  in  Biblical  criticism. 
in  liberal  principles,  in  the  free  discussion  of  all  questions  concerning  state 
and  church  polity,  have,  more  or  less,  broken  the  spell  of  human  authority — 
aroused  the  long  latent  energies  of  the  human  mind,  and  begotten  and 
cherished  a  spirit  of  inquiry,  before  which  truth  and  virtue  alone  can  stand 
erect,  with  a  portly  mien,  an  unblenching  eye,  and  sn  unfaltering  tongue. 
Errors  long  consecrated  in  hallowed  fanes,  backed  with  monarchical  and 
papal  authority,  lauded  by  lordly  Bishops,  canonized  by  hoary  Rabbis  in 
solemn  conclaves,  and  confirmed  b^  the  decrees  of  Oecumenical  Councils,  are 
being  disrobed  of  all  their  factitious  ornaments,  and  exposed,  in  their  naked 
deformity,  to  the  wondering  gaze  of  a  long  insulted  and  degraded  people. 
The  inquiry  of  the  people  is  beginning  to  be,  What  is  truth  7  not  who  says  so. 
"What  saith  the  oracles  of  God  1  not  what  council  has  so  decided.  We  must 
be  judged  every  man  for  himself.     We  shall,  therefore,  judge  for  ourselves. 

The  Christian  mind,  since  the  era  of  Protestantism,  has  been  advancing 
with  a  slow  but  steady  pace;  an  onward  and  an  upward  progress.  Its 
noble  and  splendid  victories  in  physical  science — in  useful  and  ornamental 
arts — in  free  government,  and  in  social  institutions,  have  increased  its  cour- 
age, animated  its  hopes,  and  emboldened  its  efforts  to  find  its  proper  emi- 
nence. It  has  not  yet  fixed  its  own  destiny,  limited  its  own  aspirations,  nor 
stipulated  its  subordination  to  any  human  arbitrament. 

In  the  department  of  religion  and  divine  obligation,  it  has  tried  every  form 
of  ecclesiastical  polity,  every  human  constitution  and  variety  of  partizan  and 
schismatic  theology  and  every  scheme  of  propagating  its  own  peculiar 
tenets.  Nor  has  it  yet  found  a  safe  and  sure  haven  in  which  to  anchor,  in 
hope  of  coming  safely  to  land.  It  will  not  surrender  nor  capitulate  on  any 
terms  dishonorable  to  its  own  dignit};-,  nor  compromise  its  convictions  for 
the  sake  of  popular  applause. 

The  questions  of  the  present  day  are  more  grave  and  momentous,  in  their 
bearings  on  church  and  state,  than  any  questions  propounded  and  discussed 
in  former  times.  Even  the  very  text  of  the  Holy  Bible  has  been  submitted 
to  a  more  severe  ordeal  and  test  than  at  any  former  time.  And  that  the 
Holy  Oracles  of  salvation  shall  go  forth  in  their  primitive  purity,  into  all 
lands  and  languages,  is  now  firmly  decided  by  the  purest,  most  enlightened, 
most  generous  and  noble-hearted  men  in  the  world.  Hence  the  inquiry  for 
the  old  paths — the  ancient  landmarks  of  truth  and  error. 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.  37 

You,  my  Christian  brethren,  assembled  here  on  the  present  occasion,  in 
one  of  the  noblest  causes  that  ever  engaged  the  human  faculties,  or  fired, 
with  pure  devotion,  the  human  heart,  have,  in  your  horizon,  the  illustrious 
aim  of  giving  to  the  world  abroad  a  pure  and  faithful  translation  of  the 
Living  Oracles.  You  will  have  no  fellowship  with  any  compromise — with 
any  scheme  that  merely  builds  up  a  party,  or  seeks  the  applause  of  those 
who  have,  for  the  sake  of  "  a  fair  show  in  the  flesh,"  done  homage  at  the 
shrine,  or  yielded  to  the  false  oratory  and  special  pleadings,  of  a  self-seeking, 
a  self-preferring,  a  self-aggrandizing  spirit.  You  will  show  no  partiality  for 
consecrated  error,  because  of  the  good,  and  learned,  and  charitable  people 
that  advocate  it,  or  because  of  the  flatteries  of  those  Avho  fear  your  example, 
as  weakening  their  authority  and  impairing  their  hold  on  the  smiles  of  the 
world. 

Y"ou  are  determined  to  carry  the  work  of  translation  to  its  proper  metes 
and  boundaries.  You  will  have  no  privileged,  canonized  and  time-consecrated 
terms,  exempted  by  prescription,  privilege,  or  concession,  from  the  tests  of 
language.the  canons  of  criticism,  and  the  laws  of  interpretation.  The  most 
consecrated  ecclesiastic  terms — the  aristocracy  of  terminology,  occasionally, 
too — the  strong-holds  of  error — you  will  not  exempt  from  the  statutes  of 
of  interpretation — from  the  umpirage  of  lexicography.  You  will  pass  no 
special  statute  in  favor  of  the  two  houses  of  baptizo  and  raniizo,  nor  the 
aristocratic  claims,  exemptions  and  privileges  of  either,  but  bring  them  into 
court,  and  give  them  a  fair  trial  by  the  canons  and  laws  of  criticism,  before 
the  high  court  of  inspired  apostles  and  prophets. 

That  class  of  errors  which  gives  the  particular  currency  of  one  age  the 
power  to  nullify  the  legitimate  and  constitutional  currency  of  another,  will 
receive  no  favor  at  your  hands.  For  why  should  ordinances,  prescribed  by 
divine  authority,  be  reversed,  altered,  amended  or  adjusted  by  any  human 
tribunal,  to  suit  the  prejudice  or  caprice  of  worldly  conformity  !  This  spe- 
cies of  Protestant  Popery  is  just  as  abhorrent  to  your  morals,  to  reason  and 
revelation,  as  any  other  form  of  it. 

Let  us,  then,  still  more  gravely  look  at  the  issues  to  be  made  on  the 
present  occasion.  Protestant  Christendom  has  acknowledged  one  faith,  one 
Lord,  two  baptisms,  many  Lord's  tables,  and  several  forms  of  church  polity 
growing  out  of  these  unfortunate  and  unhallowed  traditions ;  and  one  of  the 
capital  devices  of  Satan  is,  to  blink  some  matters  of  grave  moment  and  give 
others  a  factitious  importance. 

Positive  ordinances  are  belittled  by  most  parties,  who  have  substituted 
human  institutions  for  divine  enactments.  They  enthrone  their  beau  ideal 
of  the  Christian  virtues  under  the  name  of  "  Christian  Charity,''  and  dese- 
crate divine  ordinances  under  the  name  of ''  Rites  and  Ceremonies."  But 
let  me  say  it  once  for  all,  and  most  emphatically,  that  divine  ordinances  are 
the  very  marrow  and  fatness  of  the  Christian  institution — the  embodiment 
of  its  spiritual  promises,  joys  and  consolations.     They  are  like  the  sun,  moon 


38  APPENDIX. 

and  stars,  those  divine  ordinances  of  nature  in  which,  and  through  which, 
God  communicates  light,  and  life,  and  health  to  the  soul.  They  are  as  the 
dew,  and  the  sun  shine,  and  the  early  and  the  latter  rain,  to  our  hills  and 
vallies,  that  make  them  verdant  and  fruitful,  and  vocal  with  the  praise  of  the 
Lord. 

Zeal  for  divine  ordinances  is  the  best  criterion,  and  always  was  the  most 
conclusive  test  of  a  standing  or  a  falling  church.  The  Lord,  by  Malachi, 
said  to  the  Jewish  community  in  their  decline :  "  From  the  days  of  your 
fathers  you  are  gone  away  from  mine  ordinances,  and  have  not  kept  them. 
Return  unto  me  and  I  will  return  unto  you,  saith  Jehovah."  The  highest 
commendation  that  could  be  given  of  Zacharias  and  Elizabeth,  the  parents 
of  the  Baptist,  was  that  they  "  were  blameless  observers  of  the  command- 
ments and  ordinances  of  the  Lord."  "What  then  pleased  the  Lord,  will 
please  him  now.  The  ordinances  of  sun,  moon,  and  stars,  differ  from  one 
another.  They  are,  indeed,  all  luminaries.  Each  one  of  them,  however,  has 
its  own  magnitude  and  its  specific  use,  as  well  as  its  own  position  in  the 
universe.  So  of  the  ordinances  of  grace,  ^hey  are  all  fraught  with  bless- 
ings to  the  intelligent  believing  recipients  of  them  j  but  each  one  of  them 
has  its  proper  place  and  its  peculiar  influence  upon  those  who  scripturally 
submit  to  it.  But,  out  of  that  place,  they  are  unmeaning  rites  and  useless 
ceremonies.  They  alike  mock  God  and  the  recipients  of  them.  They, 
therefore,  not  only  glorify  the  wisdom  and  grace  of  God  who  scripturally 
teach  and  dispense  them,  but  also  promote  the  sanctification  and  happiness 
of  those  who  receive  them.  "  Therefore,"  says  the  great  Teacher,  "  whoso- 
ever shall  violate,  and  cause  others  to  violate,  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 
precepts,  shall  be  of  no  account  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  whosoever 
shall  do  and  teach  them,  shall  be  of  great  esteem  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

In  speaking  of  the  classiiication  of  errors  of  translation,  we  left,  for  special 
consideration,  one  class  of  errors  which,  with  the  members  of  the  Bible 
Union,  at  this  peculiar  crisis,  is  worthy  of  special  regard.  It  is  that  to  which 
your  new  institution,  my  Christian  friends,  owes  its  origin. 

You  and  those  who  have  compelled  you  to  form  a  separate  and  distinct 
organization,  alike  agree  in  the  necessity  of  an  improved  version.  You  do 
not  saj'^  a  new,  an  absolutely  new  version  ;  nor  have  I  ever  supposed  such  a 
thing  necessary  or  desirable.  I,  as  well  as  you,  love  the  Anglo-Saxon  Bible 
style ;  and  who,  that  has  read  it  from  infancy  to  manhood,  does  not  love  it ! 
Love  it,  I  say ;  not  merely  admire  its  simplicity,  its  force,  its  beauty,  its 
easy  apprehension  ;  but  delight  in  its  charms,  and  in  its  thousand  agreeable 
associations  in  our  memories  and  in  our  hearts. 

They,  too,  from  whom  you  have  been  compelled  to  separate  in  this  parti- 
cular work,  admire  and  love  it. 

I  have  long  regretted  that  most  of  our  approved  versions,  as  they  are 
called,  should  have  needlessly  changed  the  style  and  verbiage  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  of  King  James.     My  views  are  that  no  change  should  be  made  but 


ADDRESS  OF  ALEXANDER  CAMPBELL.  89 

what  faithfulness  to  the  original  requires.  True,  indeed,  there  are  many 
antique,  quaint  and  ungrammatical  phrases;  such  as,  "We  do  you.  to  wit;" 
'•I  trow  not;"  "  Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven  ;"  "  He  purgeth  it,  that  it 
may  bring  forth  more  fruit,"  &c.,  which  a  moderate  complaisance  to  gram- 
mar and  literary  taste  would  correct  or  amend.  But  while  tithing  these 
"  mint,  anise  and  cummin,"  we  would  rather  call  ^''our  attention  to  the 
weightier  matters  of  the  Common  Version. 

Its  authors,  indeed,  much  more  deserve  the  character  of  judicious  copyists 
than  that  of  learned  and  independent  translators.  King  James  and  his 
ecclesiastical  courtiers,  were  much  more  in  love  with  Geneva  than  Jerusalem, 
and  very  happily  copied  and  anglicised  the  Geneva  Version,  and  paid  a  due 
degree  of  reverence  to  his  majesty's  inhibition  from  touching,  with  their  un- 
clean hands,  the  old  fashioned  and  canonized  "  ecclesiastical  words,"  and  by 
these  means,  as  faithful  servants  of  his  majesty,  they  left  in  Greek,  or  in 
Geneva  style,  hosts  of  words,  with  the  whole  baptizo  family,  unamended 
and  untranslated. 

That  7-antizo  and  baptizo  are  Greek .  words,  wanting  only  half  a  letter, 
no  man  of  self-respect  and  of  literary  pretensions  will  deny.  And  that  they 
are  both  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  Levitical  law,  is  universally  conceded. 
But  our  pedo-baptist  friends  are  slow  to  learn  that,  in  not  one  instance  in  the 
whole  Septuagint  Version,  is  baptizo  and  rantizo  interchanged,  Their 
families  were  never  on  friendly  terms  of  intercommunication.  They  lived 
together  for  fifteen  hundred  years  and  never  once  intermarried,  nor  did 
baptizo  ever  employ  rantizo,  nor  rantizo  baptizo,  down  to  the  forty-third 
generation,  to  do  for  one  another  any  one  service.  Nor  did  anjr  Jew,  from 
Moses  to  Christ,  rantize  by  baptizing,  nor  baptize  by  rantizing.  In  English, 
no  Jew  ever  once  tried  to  dip  by  sprinkling,  nor  to  sprinkle  by  dipping. 
This  incontrovertible  fact,  in  a  law  which  contained  many  typical  observances 
of  the  greatest  exactness,  must  stand  through  all  coming  time,  as  it  has  stood 
through  all  past  time,  an  irrefragable  evidence  of  the  folly  or  weakness  of 
any  one  presuming  that  these  two  words  can.  by  any  grammatical,  logical, 
or  even  rhetorical  possibility,  indicate  one  and  the  same  thing. 

This  fact  is,  with  us,  most  conclusive  and  satisfactory  proof  that  no  man 
can  be  a  faithful  and  competent  translator  of  the  divine  oracles,  in  an  age  of 
controversy,  as  to  the  initiatory  action  which  Christ  commanded,  who  does 
not  select  a  term  to  represent  it  in  the  language  into  which  he  translates,  as 
definite,  precise,  and  immutable  as  the  original  teriji  baptizo  ;  and  that  the 
Latin  immerse,  a»nd  the  Saxon  dippan,  from  the  Greek  dupto,  to  dive  or  dip, 
does  exactly  represent  the  original  Greek,  there  cannot  be  the  shadow  of  a 
doubt.  There  is  no  need  whatever  to  multiply  proof  beyond  this  single  fact, 
although  we  have  volumes  of  evidence  at  our  command. 

With  us  Baptists,  it  is,  at  least,  but  a  waste  of  time  to  argue  that  we  never 
can  have  a  fiithful,  true,  and  intelligible  version  of  the  scriptures  until  this 
word  is  thus  translated.     Every  intelligent  Baptist,  every  well  educated  man 

6 


40  APPENDIX. 

of  no  religious  party,  knows  this  to  be  a  fact — a  fact  as  true  and  veritable  as 
that  Jesus  is  the  Christ.  And  shall  we,  knowing  this,  presume,  before 
heaven  and  earth,  to  give  to  the  world,  or  to  circulate  through  the  Christian 
Church,  a  false  or  an  equivocal  translation,  through  the  fear  of  men,  or  that 
lame  and  blind  charity  which  caters  to  the  unreasonable  prejudices  of  socie- 
ty, and  covets  the  honor  that  comes  from  man,  as  necessary  to  aid  either  the 
Holy  Spirit  or  the  Oracles  of  God  in  the  work  of  converting  sinners  to  God 
or  the  church  from  her  idolatry  ! 

To  assume,  as  some  of  our  Baptist  brethren  have  virtually  assumed,  that 
baptize  is  an  English  word,  and  not  a  translation  of  a  Greek  word,  is  to  say 
that  the  whole  New  Testament  is  translated,  whenever  the  Greek  words 
are  printed  or  written  in  Roman  characters.  This  is,  so  far  as  I  now  remem- 
ber its  details,  the  marrow  and  the  fatness  of  the  whole  controversy  at  the 
late  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  in  this  city. 

We  sometimes  transfer  and  neutralize  words,  as  we  transfer  men  from 
one  nation  to  another ;  but  then  we  do  not  say  that  every  naturalized  or 
adopted  citizen  has  been  translated  from  Europe  or  Asia  into  America,  as 
Enoch  and  Elijah  were  translated  to  heaven.  The  Romans,  from  whom  we 
got  the  word  immersion,  did  not  transfer  it  from  the  Greek  language.  It 
was,  with  them,  a  translation  of  haptisma  ;  and  can  we  adopt  this  transla- 
tion from  the  Romans,  and  then  call  both  it  and  the  word  which  it  repre- 
sents, equally  a  translation  from  the  Greek  into  our  proper  vernacular  ? 

But  waiving,  on  the  present  occasion,  anj^  discussion  of  the  merits  of  this 
question — any  attempt  to  show  that,  in  the  judgment  of  the  whole  literary 
world,  the  term  baptizo  was  translated  by  the  Romans  imviergo,  and  that 
immerse  is  a  verbal  from  immergo,  ages  since  adopted  into  our  language, 
and  used  as  synonymous  with  dip,  another  naturalized  Greek  word,  trans- 
mitted to  us  from  our  Saxon  forefathers  ;  the  meaning  of  which  every  child 
in  Great  Britain  and  in  the  United  States  understands  as  well  as  it  does  the 
words  bread  and  water,  we  proceed  to  state  that  the  terms  church,  conver- 
sation, communion,  fellowship,  repentance,  charity,  bishop,  deacon,  pres- 
bytery, angel,  covenant,  testament,  <fc.,  demand  the  profound  consideration 
of  modern  translators,  as  much  as  this,  now-a-days,  litigated  sectarian  word 
baptism. 

We  want  no  special,  sectarian,  or  national  translation  of  the  Living  Oracles. 
We  ardently  desire  a  perspicuous,  definite,  forcible,  and  elegant  version  of 
the  Book  of  Life.  For  this  great  work  we  should  desire  more  than  the  con- 
currence and  co-operation  of  the  whole  Christian  world,  in  its  modern  im- 
port :  we  should  desire  to  have  Jews,  Greeks,  Romanists.  Protestants,  and 
even  well  educated  antiquarians,  literary  and  moral  sceptics,  if  they  could 
be  found.  But  this  would  be  a  new  edition  of  Utopianism — a  chimerical 
hope.  Of  "  the  whole  Christian  world"  we  could  not  interest  the  section 
called  Protestant,  to  unite  with  us.  From  the  galleries,  from  the  high  seats 
of  the  modern  synagogues  of  Protestant  Christendom,  the  seven  demons 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER   CAMPBELL.  41 

that  cater  to  that  trinity  of  lusts  and  passions  called  the  lusts  of  the  flesh, 
the  lusts  of  the  eye,  and  the  pride  of  life,  have  not  yet  been  exercised.  There 
is  too  much  of  the  world  in  the  bosom  of  the  Protestant  section  of  Christen- 
dom. What,  then,  must  be  done.  Sit  down  upon  the  bank  of  the  river  of 
Babylon,  and  wait  till  its  waters  fail— till  its  channel  be  dry  ! 

No  !  You  say  no  ! !  by  no  means ! ! !  Rather  let  the  Baptist  portion  of 
Christendom,  without  respect  to  its  private  opinions,  come  together,  with 
its  chosen  men  all.  And  make  a  Baptist  Bible !  What !  a  Baptist  Bible ! ! 
Yes  !  If  it  should  so  happen  that  God's  Bible  and  the  Baptist  Bible  be  one 
and  the  same  book. 

But  we  can  furnish  a  version  which  we  can  sustain  by  the  mighty  dead, 
and  by  a  portion  of  the  living  mighty  men  of  the  anti-Baptist  Christendom. 
I  will  go  one  step  higher,  and  afBrm,  that  we  Baptists,  General  and  Particu- 
lar, Old  School  and  New  School,  Reform  and  anti-Reform,  Orthodox  and 
Heterodox,  can  make  just  as  good,  as  true,  as  faithful,  as  exact,  as  elegant  a 
new  version,  or  an  improved  version,  out  of  the  Pedorantist  or  anti-Baptist 
versions,  emendations,  disquisitions  and  criticisms,  now  at  this  moment  ex- 
tant, as  we  ourselves  could  make,  were  we  all,  with  one  accord,  and  in  one 
place,  to  meet  and  sit  upon  the  original  text,  in  grave  deliberation,  for  seven 
long  years.     This  is  my  belief,  opinion,  conviction,  assurance,  if  you  please. 

But  we  very  much  regret  to  learn  that  not  even  the  Baptists  can  be  in- 
duced to  come  together,  in  one  fraternal  phalanx,  to  achieve  this  great  and 
noble  object.  Since  my  arrival  in  this  city,  I  am  informed  that  there  are 
some  of  them  warmly  opposed  to  it— that  even  tracts  and  pamphlets  have 
been  issued  and  put  into  circulation  against  an  improved  version  of  the  Living 
Oracles  !  Two  of  these  now  lie  before  me.  They  were  presented  to  me  in 
answer  to  my  inquiry  for  the  reasons  why  the  whole  Baptist  community 
did  not  make  it  a  common  cause  and  come  up  like  one  man  to  the  work. 
One  of  them  enumerates  no  less  than  ten  reasons  against  an  attempt  to  pre- 
pare a  new  version ;  and  from  a  quarter  that  I  could  not  have  anticipated. 
Its  eminent  author,  in  the  form  of  a  very  learned  and  laborious  volume 
against  Romanism,  stands  in  my  library  on  the  same  shelf  with  my  Debate 
with  Bishop  Purcel  of  Cincinnati  on  the  same  subject.  And  how  can  it  be, 
I  asked  myself,  that  he  should  now  stand  with  that  party  in  opposing  a  new 
and  improved  version,  in  our  own  language,  of  the  words  of  eternal  life.  I 
opened  it  with  much  interest,  curious  to  have  this  mystery  revealed.  To 
its  title  page  my  attention  was  instantly  turned,  and  fixed  upon  its  remark- 
able motto— "The  old  fashioned  Bible."  While  pondering  upon  the 
author's  design  in  this  strange  motto,  I  hastily  turned  to  its  last  page,  and 
again  read : 

"The  old  fashioned  Bible,  the  dear  blessed  Bible, 
The  Family  Bible  that  lay  on  the  stand." 

Is  this,  said  I  to  myself,  an  ad  captandum  vulgus,  a  lure  for  the  unwary 
reader,  or  the  great  argument  for  the  inviolability  and  immortality  of  King 


42  APPENDIX. 

James's  version.  I  dare  not,  till  I  had  read  it  tLror.gh.  f.y.r-wcr  this  first 
inquiry.  I  had  no  sooner  glanced  through  its  ten  arguments  than  my  eyes 
were  opened.  The  spirit  of  the  motto  is  the  soul  of  its  ten  arguments.  Its 
body,  or  substance,  is — "  The  purpose,"  to  have  and  to  introduce  a  new  ver- 
sion, "is  fraught  with  injury"  and  ruin  to  the  Baptists.  Alas !  for  the  feeble 
Baptists,  if  a  new  version  is  fraught  with  injury  and  ruin  to  the  denomina- 
tion !  But,  combining  his  logic  and  rhetoric  in  two  lines,  he  finds  their  sal- 
vation in 

"Tlieold  fashioned  Bible,  the  dear  blessed  Bible, 
The  Family  Bible  that  lay  on  the  stand." 

But  after  a  moment's  reflection,  it  occurred  to  me  that  not  only  the  motto, 
but  the  whole  ten  arguments,  in  their  soul,  body,  and  spirit,  were  as  good 
against  a  new  version,  in  the  days  of  Tindal,  as  now ;  and  will  be  as  good, 
as  sound,  as  conclusive,  against  a  new  version,  against  all  and  every  change 
which  has  been,  is  now,  or  will  hereafter  be,  proposed,  through  all  coming 
time. 

From  the  printing  of  Tindal's  version  till  Cranmer's,  till  James's  version, 
there  was  a  copy  of  it  in  many  Christian  families,  and  some  of  them  lay  on 
a  stand.  Now  on  the  first  motion,  in  the  father-land,  to  have  an  improved 
version,  had-  the  author  of  the  "  Ten  Eeasons^'  been  then  living  and  con- 
sulted, he  would  have  raised  the  tune  of  the  "  Old  fashioned  Bible  that  lay 
on  the  stand,"  and  for  this  good  and  sound  reason — that  good  sense  and 
good  logic  are  immutably  the  same ; — the  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  to- 
morrow. If  an  old  fashioned  Bible  lying  one  j^ear,  or  one  century,  on  a 
stand,  be  a  sound  and  satisfactory  argument  against  a  new  version  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  it  will  through  aU  coming  time  be  an  invincible  argument 
against  any  correction,  emendation,  or  change  whatever. 

The  ten  reasons  given  in  this  pamphlet,  of  six  and  thirty  pages,  arithme- 
tically enumerated  and  logically  arranged,  are  a  mere  dilution  or  expansion 
of  this  one  popular  and  prolific  syllogism. 

It  is  again  presented  in  the  following  words  : — The  mere  purpose  to  have 
a  new  A-crsion  is  "fraught  with  injury  to  the  denomination" — "destructive 
of  brotherly  love  and  harmony" — "  suicidal  to  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society" — "  and  utterly  uncalled  for  by  any  consideration  of  principle 
or  of  duty."  These  are  the  four  cardinal  points  to  which  are  respectively 
directed  the  ten  reasons. 

The  ten  reasons  are,  indeed,  essentially  one  and  all  political  or  denomina- 
tional. The  glory,  honor,  and  integrity  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  it 
would  appear,  are  much  more  in  the  eye  and  heart  of  their  author,  than 
the  importance  or  value  of  a  pure  and  faithful,  a  clear  and  intelligible  trans- 
lation of  the  Oracles  of  God.  This  I  hope  is  not  so.  But  he  writes  and 
reasons  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  it  appear  so,  and  thus  injures  his  own 
reputation  much  more  than  he  can  impede  the  glorious  enterprise.  For  this 
can  not  fail,  Heaven  being  assuredly  on  its  side. 


ADDRESS    OF  ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  43 

Now  the  case  is  this  : — The  common  version  was  gotten  up  some  two  and 
a  half  centuries  since,  under  prelatical,  hierarchical,  and  royal  patronage  and 
restrictions.  The  vernacular  of  that  day,  spoken  and  written,  was,  in  or- 
thography, punctuation,  and  in  much  of  its  common  verbiage,  quite  different 
from  that  of  the  present  day.  The  knowledge  of  the  original  tongues 
then  possessed,  compared  with  the  present  advances  in  Biblical  literature 
and  criticism,  was  proportionally  more  than  two  centm'ies  behind  the  pre- 
sent day,  and  their  general  literature  and  science  still  more  behind. " 

Since  that  day,  there  have  been  many  changes  in  the  common  version  in 
the  use  of  capitals,  points,  verses,  sections,  paragraphs ;  some  of  which  ma- 
terially affect  the  sense ;  and,  indeed,  all  of  them  are  a  species  of  notes  and 
comments  of  human  authority.  By  whose  authority  they  were  made,  few 
can  now  say.  But  if  there  were  any  good  reason  or  logic  in  favor  of  these 
changes,  that  same  good  reason  and  logic  demand  their  continuance,  though 
made  without  the  authority  of  King  James  and  his  forty-seven  chosen  men. 
But  if  the  authority  of  King  James  and  his  hierarchical  counsellors  be  still 
paramount  authority  in  the  conscience  of  such  men  as  the  author  of  the  ten 
reasons,  then  they  should  repudiate  all  the  improvements  already  made,  and 
restore  the  identical  version  of  King  James,  letter  and  point,  for  this  good 
reason  that  "  he  who  keeps  the  whole  law  and  yet  offends  in  one  point,  is 
guilty  of  all."  Nor  ought  they  to  translate  one  word  untranslated  by  these 
elect  translators — not  one  single  amen,  anathema,  or  maranatha.  But 
who  will  stand  up  in  defence  of  such  a  position  ! 

If  God  values  and  will  sanction  and  fulfil  every  jot  and  tittle  of  his  law ; 
if  he  commanded  ]\Ioses  to  see  that  he  made  all  things  connected  with  the 
tabernacle  and  its  service,— even  to  the  sockets  and  the  tenons  of  its  boards, 
and  to  the  loops  and  selvedges  of  its  curtains,  according  to  a  pattern  showed 
him  in  the  mount ;  and  if  the  same  Spirit  animated  and  guided  the  Jews  in 
their  best  days,  insomuch  that  they  counted  the  words  and  even  the  letters 
of  the  Pentateuch,  lest  one  error  should  find  its  way  into  the  sacred  text ; 
and  if  after  the  return  from  their  captivity  in  Babylon,  when  and  where 
their  language  was  corrupted,  if  Ezra  the  scribe  in  reading  their  law  inter- 
preted every  unknown  term,  and  repudiated  every  corruption  of  the  text, 
so  that  he  caused  the  people  to  hear  and  to  understand  the  oracles  of  Jeho- 
vah, shall  we,  to  whom  God  has  committed  the  Christian  oracles,  the 
holy  Gospel  and  its  subhme  institutions,  suffer  it  to  be  corrupted,  ob- 
scured, or  rendered  unintelligible,  without  the  ,best  and  most  effectual 
effort  on  our  part  to  preserve  uncorrupted  the  precious  deposit,  and  to 
extend  to  our  contemporaries  and  transmit  to  posterity  all  the  words  of 
this  Iffe  I  Forbid  it  reason,  conscience,  and  heaven  !  Has  not  Jehovah 
said  that  "  though  heaven  be  his  throne  and  earth  his  footstool,  though 
he  is  the  high  and  lofty  One  that  inhabits  eternity,  that  to  this  man  he  will 
look  with  complacency,  even  to  him  that  is  of  an  humble  and  a  contrite 
spirit  and  who  trembles  at  his  word  ! " 


44  APPENDIX. 

The  good  sense  and  the  good  taste  of  the  Grecian  poet  Homer,  is  never 
so  handsomely  and  so  impi-cssively  displayed,  as  when  introducing,  as  he 
often  does,  the  gods  of  Pagan  superstition  into  his  poem.  He  always  suffers 
them,  without  note  or  comment,  to  express  themselves  in  their  own  identical 
terms.  I  could  wish  that  our  venerable  translators  had  been  as  judicious 
and  as  discreet  as  this  great  Grecian  bard. 

But  why  argue  this  cause  any  further  ?  The  many  marginal  readings  of 
recondite  terms  in  our  numerous  and  various  commentaries,  and  in  our 
family  Bibles  and  Testaments ;  the  labors  of  innumerable  pulpit  orators  and 
lecturers,  expended  every  Lord's  day  in  mending,  correcting,  and  explaining 
the  text  in  all  the  synagogues  in  our  land ;  alike  demonstrate  the  need  of  a 
new  version,  and  our  ability  to  furnish  it, — first  by  selecting  a  well  authen- 
ticated original  text,  then  by  giving  an  exact,  perspicuous,  and  faithful  trans- 
lation of  it ;  and  that,  too,  in  a  pure,  chaste,  and  elegant  Anglo-Saxon  stjde. 
That  our  age  and  contemporaries  are  equal  to  this,  is  quite  as  evident  as 
that  the  Greek  and  Roman  classics  have  been,  and  can  again  be,  so  trans- 
lated by  competent  scholars. 

But,  according  to  certain  learned  Doctors,  the  time  is  not  yet  come.  No, 
nor  will  the  time  which  they  have  imagined  ever  come.  In  all  past  versions 
the  popular  incumbent  dignitaries,  the  prelates,  the  hierarchs,  were  com- 
pelled into  the  measure  ;  though  sometimes  resisting  till  their  thrones  were 
in  danger.  They,  too,  like  some  of  our  modern  doctors,  could  see  nothing 
but  denominational  ruin,  dissension,  and  disaster  in  such  an  undertaking  ; 
and  still  worse,  they  could  neither  see  nor  feel  any  principle,  duty,  or  obli- 
gation, requiring  them  to  give  the  full  sense  of  God's  book,  and  Ezra  like, 
to  make  the  people  understand  the  sacred  text. 

But  the  impending  difficulties  are  somewhat  magnified  in  the  imagination 
ef  such  desponding  doctors.  The  pedobaptist  clergy  are  much  more  friendly 
to  us  immersionists  than  formerly.  They  are  sharing  with  us  their  literary 
and  ecclesiastic  honors.  They  desire  an  amicable  and  honorable  truce,  a 
cessation  of  sectarian  strife,  a  generous  league  under  the  serene  and  pacific 
motto,  "  Let  me  alone,  and  I  will  let  thee  alone,  for  we  are  brethren." 

But  this  denominational  harmony,  charity,  and  truce,  wiU  soon  pass  awa}' 
should  we  have  a  Baptist  Bible.  No,  my  good  brethren,  no  such  thing. 
They  will  respect  you  more.  They  will  in  heart  and  conscience  honor  you 
more.  And  better  still,  you  will  be  much  more  honorable  in  your  own 
eyes,  and  in  the  eyes  of  Him  who  looks  not  on  the  outward  professions,  but 
upon  the  heart. 

But  I  have  not  yet  said  that  which  I  wish  most  emphatically  to  say.  I 
want  no  Baptist  Bible  in  their  sense  of  that  cognomen.  Nor  would  I  plead 
for  a  new  version  for  the  sake  of  the  word  immersion.  We  can  prove 
Christian  immersion,  as  Christ's  own  institution,  against  the  world,  and  that 
too,  from  King  James's  translation.     We  have  done  it  on  many  occasions. 

No  one  has  paid  less  homage  to  sectarian  tenets,  prejudices  and  partiali- 


ADDRESS    OF    ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  46 

ties, — no  one,  it  is  said,  has  more  violently  assailed  the  idols  of  the  parties. 
than  your  humble  servant.  I  have  made  myself  vile  and  heretical  in  the 
esteem  of  their  warmest  defenders.  And  what  has  been  the  result  1  My 
experience  may  be  profitable  to  others.  A  great  revolution  has  been  ef- 
fected, our  opponents  themselves  being  judges..  Myriads  and  myriads  have, 
through  our  instrumentality  and  that  of  our  brotherhood,  received  the  gos- 
pel during  the  last  thirty  years.  And,  strange  to  tell,  our  very  opponents 
that  once  accused  us  of  the  most  heretical  tenets,  have  themselves  acknowl- 
edged us  orthodox,  just  as  orthodox  as  themselves,  in  all  that  is  deemed 
vital,  soul-redeeming,  and  soul- transforming  in  the  Christian  doctrine.  It 
will  be  so  in  this  grand  enterprise.  Those  who  deprecate  this  movement, 
and  inveigh  most  loudly  and  bitterly  against  it,  will,  when  it  has  achieved 
its  object,  acknowledge  its  value,  commend  your  courage  and  magnanimity, 
and  gratefully  regard  you  as  the  benefactors  of  your  age  and  country. 

But  we  must  meet  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  promise  of  divine  aid  ;  and 
in  an  humble,  sincere,  and  prayerful  spirit,  free  from  the  alloy  of  worldly 
policy,  of  fleshly  interests,  of  sectarian  partialities ;  with  the  love  of  truth, 
and  the  God  of  truth,  in  our  hearts  ;  with  the  throne  of  impartial  and  ulti- 
mate judgment  in  our  eye  ;  and  concentrate  and  consecrate  all  our  learning, 
all  our  wisdom,  all  our  patience,  all  our  energies,  and  all  our  devotion,  on 
the  transcendent  subject. 

And  why  should  we  not !  Is  it  not  expedient ;  is  it  not  necessary ;  is  it 
not  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  Zion  ;  to  the  enlightenment,  the  consolation 
of  Christians ;  to  the  conviction,  the  conversion,  the  sanctification,  the  sal- 
vation of  the  Christian  world,  so  called ;  and  to  the  illumination  and  rescue 
of  Pagandom  from  the  stupidity,  the  degradation,  the  tyranny,  the  abject 
thraldom  of  the  low,  mean,  and  contemptible  idolatries  of  the  regions  of 
darkness  and  the  shadows  of  death,  where  no  vision  is.  and  the  people 
perish  ! 

Let  us,  then,  awake  from  this  state  of  supineness,  cold  indifference,  sinful 
apathy,  reproachful  cowardice,  and,  with  an  ardent  zeal,  a  lively  hope,  an 
assured  confidence  in  God  our  Saviour,  concert,  digest,  and  systematize  a 
plan  of  holy  co-operation,  of  well-concerted  action,  of  successful  effort,  in 
this  benevolent,  noble,  and  godlike  enterprise. 

Let  us  make  no  truce  with  error,  no  covenant  with  guile,  no  agreement 
with  hypocrisy,  no  league  with  the  spirit  of  darkness  ;  but,  as  sons  of  light, 
put  on  the  armor  of  light,  grasp  the  sword  of  the  spirit,  and  make  a  courage- 
ous, unanimous,  and  brave  assault  on  the  gates  of  darkness,  superstition  and 
error. 

And  is  not  the  object,  the  end  in  view,  great,  noble  and  divine  ?  If  human 
redemption  cost  high  heaven  so  much  as  the  mission,  humiliation,  degrada- 
tion, and  sacrifice  of  God's  only  begotten  and  well-beloved  Son,  to  effect 
the  restoration  of  fallen,  ruined,  wretched  man,  to  the  favor  and  complacent 
affection  of  his  Father  and  his  God ;  if  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  assumed  our 


46  APPENDIX. 

nature,  bore  our  infirmities,  carried  our  griefs,  expiated  our  guut  oy  the 
voluntary  sacrifice  of  himself,  and  descended  into  the  grave,  the  regions  of 
darkness  and  corruption,  that  he  might  rescue  man  from  eternal  darkness, 
from  everlasting  vroe ;  if  the  Spirit  of  vs^isdom  and  knowledge,  of  counsel 
and  might,  the  Spirit  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son,  with  all  his  powers  of 
knowledge,  wisdom  and  eloquence,  became  a  missionary,  sent  by  the  Father 
and  the  Son,  to  inspire  prophets  and  apostles,  to  animate  saints  and  martyrs, 
to  become  the  holy  guest  of  Christ's  own  mystical  body — the  church — and 
to  sanctify,  purify,  and  ennoble  that  body  with  the  graces  of  wisdom  and 
knowledge,  of  love  and  mercy,  and  to  robe  it  with  the  beauty  of  holiness,  to 
adorn  it  with  heavenly  graces,  and  to  present  it  a  pure  and  holy  church, 
without  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  blemish,  before  the  throne  of  God,  amidst  the 
congratulations  and  acclamations  of  heavenly  hosts  of  wondei'ing,  adoring, 
and  transported  angels — shall  we,  the  subjects  of  Almighty  grace,  the  ran- 
somed sons  of  God,  the  heirs  and  expectants  of  eternal  glory,  be  selfish, 
lukewarm,  cowardly,  faint-hearted  and  desponding,  in  the  work  of  faith,  the 
labor  of  love,  the  patience  of  hope,  for  the  sake  of  any  ephemeral  interest, 
any  worldly  policy,  any  fleshly  advantage  accruing  from  our  selfishness,  our 
carnality,  our  earthly  mindedness.  No  :  forbid  it  reason,  conscience,  hope, 
and  heaven  ! 

Now,  all  that  faith,  and  hope,  and  love  inspire,  comes  from  the  Oracles  of 
God ;  comes  through  the  words  and  sentences  of  heaven-inspired  prophets, 
holy  bards,  apostles  and  evangelists,  embalmed  in  Hebrew  and  Greek. 
These  oracles  have  been  committed  to  the  church,  and  especially  to  the 
Baptist  church,  herself  being  judge.  Her  views  of  Christian  ordinances — 
not  merely  of  faith,  hope  and  love,  but  of  the  sealing,  sanctifying,  animating 
ordinances  of  the  Christian  Institution — are,  in  our  best  judgment,  our  most 
clear,  and  forcible  conviction — especially  entrusted  to  the  Baptist  communi- 
ties. I  am  aware  that  time  was,  and  that  time  is  yet,  only  in  the  imperfect 
tense,  when  she  had  not  one  tolerably  educated  man  in  every  hundred  of 
her  most  enthusiastic,  laborious,  and  successful  declaimers  and  proclaimers. 
But  since  the  second  conversion  of  the  Pedobaptists — Luther  Rice,  and  Ado- 
niram  Judson — a  great  change  has  come  upon  the  denomination.  These 
noble,  self-humiliating,  self-denying,  self-sacrificing  spirits,  efiected  a  great 
revolution  in  the  minds  of  the  denomination.  One  of  them  died  gloriously 
in  the  harness,  dragging  up  the  rugged  cliffs  of  worldly  selfishness  and  par- 
simoniousness  the  car  of  education — literary  and  scientific  education — sub- 
ordinate to  evangelical  and  ministerial  education — a  martyr  truly  in  the 
noble  cause.  Meantime,  his  beloved  bro.  Judson,  exiled  himself  from  bis 
own  beloved  land — from  all  the  associations  of  his  youth — from  all  that  is 
dear  to  flesh  and  blood — and,  in  the  spirit  of  ancient  times,  cast  his  bread 
and  his  life  upon  the  waters  of  the  mighty  deep,  crossed  the  broad  oceans  of 
earth,  and  went  in  quest  of  the  lost  sheep  amongst  the  mountains  and  val- 
lies  of  Pagan  Asia,  whence  came  the  word  of  life  to  Europe  and  the  New 


ADDRESS    OF  ALEXANDER    CAMPBELL.  47 

"World.  Noble  spirit  ! — a  martyr,  too.  Perhaps  he  yet  breathes  on  some 
sunny  isle  of  the  wild  ocean,  seeking  to  reinvigorate  his  shattered  frame,  to 
reanimate  his  fallen  tabernacle,  that  he  may  yet  guide  a  few  more  lost  and 
wandering  pagans  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  that  they  may  be  baptized  in  the 
fountain  of  David's  house,  and  drink  the  spirit  of  the  gospel  age  from  the 
golden  chalice  of  everlasting  love.  With  peace  and  love  in  his  heart,  heaven 
and  glory  in  his  eye,  we  say :  "  The  Lord  bless  thee  aud  keep  thee  ;  the 
Lord  make  his  face  shine  upon  thee  and  be  gracious  to  thee  ;  the  Lord  lift 
up  his  countenance  upon  thee  and  give  thee  peace  !"* 

Since,  I  say,  the  conversion  and  self-consecration  of  these  brilliant  stars 
of  the  Baptist  Zion,  the  denomination  has  been  annually  ascending  in  all 
that  gives  strength,  dignity  and  power  to  an  evangelical  ministry.  Yet  she 
is  greatly  in  the  rear  of  some  other  denominations  in  those  literary  accom- 
plishments, in  those  scientific  attainments  that  give  strength,  eloquence  and 
power  to  those  who  lead  the  way  in  the  paths  of  public  reformation.  Edu- 
cation, without  grace,  does  nothing  in  the  Kingdom  of  God.  Grace,  with  a 
very  little  education,  may,  with  remarkable  talents,  do  much.  But  the 
moral,  the  spiritual,  the  evangelical  power  of  sound  learning,  divine  grace  and 
eminent  talents,  combined  in  one  person,  who  can  limit  or  define  ! 

Still,  after  all  the  subtractions  which  impartial  reason  and  justice  can 
make,  the  Baptists  are  this  day  in  all  their  force,  in  the  addition  of  all  their 
broken  bands  and  dissociated  fragments,  the  most  numerous,  the  most 
powerful,  and  the  most  proselyting  denomination  in  America.  Thej^  have, 
too,  in  their  aggregate,  as  much  talent,  learning,  wealth,  power,  political, 
moral  and  religious,  as  any  denomination  in  our  country,  with  a  little  too 
much  worldly-mindedness,  and  a  too  great  hankering  after  the  idol  called 
popularity.  United  in  one  unbroken  phalanx,  what  might  they  not  accom- 
plish 1  Were  they  to  go  forth  in  the  armor  of  light,  with  the  Holy  Oracles 
in  their  hands  and  in  their  hearts,  not  trammeled  with  the  traditions  of  men, 
not  doing  homage  to  the  false  glosses  and  fanciful  interpretations  of  a  few 
Eabbis  baptized  in  the  fountains  of  human  speculations  and  a  false  philoso- 
phy, what  might  they  not  achieve  ! ! 

To  conclude — for  we  have  already  transcended  the  narrow  limits  of  a 
fashionable  discourse — having  had  only  a  few  fragments  of  time,  gathered 
up  amidst  many  avocations  and  perplexities,  incident  to  our  standing  in  too 
many  relations  to  society,  I  have,  with  a  free  hand,  sketched  but  a  few  of 
the  many  thoughts  that  are  now  pressing  on  my  njind  for  utterance. 

*  .Since  wiitin','  the  preceding  paragraph,  I  have  painfully  seen  tlie  mclancho'y  announcement 
of-  the  death  of  llie  much  beloved,  admireil,  and  venerated  Judson.  On  his  way  to  the  Isle  of 
Bouihon,  while  seeking  health,  lie  lesiiMicd  his  spirit  to  his  Redeemer,  aud  his  body  to  the  ocean. 
His  work  was  done,  and  his  reward  is  sure.  For  eight  aud  thirty  years  he  toiled  as  a  missionary 
for  Christ,  and  is  now  entered  into  rest. 

Earth  and  sea  are  spacious  burying  grounds.  But  the  bodies  of  men,  not  their  souls,  return  to 
dust.  Souls  sleeping  in  ocean  or  in  earth,  is  the  sickly  dream  of  sin-stricken  souls.  •'  Bodies  of 
the  saints,"  not  suu/s.  •' came  out  of  llieir  graves,'  when  the  Jlessiah  opened  the  portals  of 
heaven  in  rising  from  the  dead.  This  is  an  indestructible  evidence  that  "  those  who  fall  asleep 
in  Jesus,  God  will  bring  with  liira  "  when  he  comes.  Let  us  await  that  day  with  patience,  and 
in  hope  of"  the  resurrection  of  the  just.'' 


48  APPENDIX. 

Brethren,  the  time  is  short.  Much  is  to  be  done,  much  can  be  done,  and 
much  ought  to  be  done  in  the  great,  and  solemn,  and  transcendent  work  of 
getting  up  and  consummating  a  perspicuous,  forcible,  and  faithful  version  of 
the  Word  of  Life,  and  in  presenting  it  to  the  Lord,  his  cause,  and  people. 

Let  us  fear  no  sectarian,  partizan,  or  denominational  opposition.  Let  us 
not  cater  to  the  whims,  the  prejudices,  the  pride,  or  the  partiality  of  any 
people.  Let  us  not  flatter  the  vain,  the  worldly,  or  the  proud  ;  but  in  the 
fear  of  the  Lord,  in  the  love  of  Zion,  and  in  the  hope  of  a  brighter  and  a 
better  day,  add  to  our  faith  courage  ;  to  our  courage  the  wisdom  of  the  ser- 
pent, without  its  venom  ;  the  harmlessness  of  the  dove  without  its  timidity  ; 
and,  in  the  humble  and  meek  spirit  of  the  gospel,  stand  up  courageously, 
cordially,  and  with  one  consent,  for  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing 
but  the  truth ;  thus  giving  to  our  contemporaries  and  posterity  an  unequi- 
vocal and  noble  proof  of  our  piety,  benevolence  and  courage.  Not  conferring 
with  flesh  and  blood,  but  in  the  fear  of  God,  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  hope 
of  heaven,  let  us  set  about  this  grand  and  lofty  cnterprize,  pregnant  with 
glory  to  God  in  the  highest  heaven,  peace  on  earth,  and  good  will  among 
men  ! 


REV.  WM.  NORTON  TO  DR.  CONE. 

Egham,  Surrey,  England, 
August  ZOih,  1850. 
My  dear  Brother  :— I  have  received  your  most  valued  packet  of  dona- 
tions, containing  "  Corrected  Version,"  Report  of  A.  &  F.  Bible  Society,  1850, 
American  Bible  Union,  &c.,  &c.  I  most  heartily  thank  you  for  them.  IMuch 
as  I  esteemed  you  before,  I  feel  now  a  warmer  love  than  ever  to  you  for  your 
readiness  to  endure  all  things,  and  venture  all,  for  the  honor  of  our  God  and 
Saviour,  and  reverence  for  his  Word.  The  subject  has  long  been  one  of  deep 
interest  to  me,  and  if  I  can,  in  any  way,  promote  the  object,  be  assured  it 
will  afford  me  the  greatest  pleasure.  If,  in  preparing  for  future  revision,  you 
need  any  one  to  purchase  books,  or  make  examinations  in  England,  so  far  as 
God  shall  enable  me,  it  will  be  my  happiness  to  do  so.  When  obliged  to  re- 
linquish my  pastorate  at  Bow  some  nine  or  ten  years  since,  I  thought  of  giving 
my  time  to  doing  what  I  could  towards  promoting  such  an  object  here.  My 
time  has  been  otherwise  occupied,  under  the  guidance  of  God's  providence; 
but  T  have  not  ceased  to  pray  that  such  a  step  as  you  and  brethren  Maclay, 
WyckofF  and  others  have  taken,  might  one  day  be  a  reality,  and  now  give 
thanks  to  God  that  it  is  done,  and  that  further  measures  are  begun.  Tlie 
brethren  who  have  opposed  cannot  maintain  their  ground.  But  oh,  it  is  of 
small  account  what  difficulties  we  may  have  to  meet  in  honoring  God.     He 


LETTER    OF    WILLIAM    NORTON.  49 

has  pleased  to  build  our  salvation  on  a  Stone  rejected  ;  and  in  his  works  of 
grace  he  is  continually  bringing  forth  his  glory  out  of  the  very  means  which 
have  been  hghtly  esteemed.  Blessing,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  thanks- 
giving be  for  ever  unto  Him  :  let  Him  alone  be  magnified. 

It  will,  probably,  interest  you  to  read  what  was  said  in  1841  by  some 
brethren  here,  as  to  a  corrected  version.  Mr.  0.  Stovel,  of  London,  in  a 
letter  to  me  dated  Jan.  1st,  1841,  said—"  There  seems  no  probability  that 
the  churches  will  unite,  at  present,  in  any  general  eifort  for  the  correction  of 
our  English  version.  Most  of  us  think  that  the  work  must  be  left  for  some 
individual  who  may  exhibit  those  rare  qualities  and  acquirements  that  shall 
command  the  attention  and  secure  the  confidence  of  the  churches.  But  do 
you  think  that  this  task  will  be  more  easy  for  you  than  the  care  of  a  church  ? 
Be  assured  of  this,  that  it  will  be  a  warfare  of  the  fiercest  kind.  Depend  on 
it,  all  parties  will  contend  against  the  translator,  and  if  saved,  it  will  be  as 
by  fire.  Men  will  regard  this  question  as  one  which  includes  all  others,  and 
all  the  prejudices  which  originate  with  other  interests  will  conglomerate  in 
this.     *     *     I  am  persuaded  that  he  who  does  it  will  sacrifice  himself." 

The  Bible  Translation  Society  were  resolved  not  to  promote  the  object. 
I  wrote  to  the  Committee,  saying— "If  it  should  appear  desirable  to  you  to 
appoint  a  sub-committee,  or  to  take  any  other  preliminary  steps  towards  the 
commencement  and  solid  advancement  of  this  object,  (the  increased  accuracy 
of  the  English  version)  and  should  you  stand  in  need  of  some  one  who  could 
devote  himself  to  any  subordinate  and  auxiliary  services,  I  should  be  happy, 
if  you  think  me  suitable,  to  be  so  employed. 

Dr.  Murch,  who  undertook  to  lay  my  letter  before  the  committee,  said, 
(Feb.  17th,  1841,)  "  I  do  not  think  they  are  yet  prepared  to  act  in  a  matter 
so  delicate  and  so  difficult ;  but  I  think  it  right  that  the  business  should  be 
kept  steadily  before  them  and  before  the  public,  that  its  importance  may  be 
deeply  felt.  In  reference  to  yourself,  I  know  not  how  you  can  better  employ 
your  time,  during  your  recess  from  public  labor,  if  you  take  it  up  con  amore, 
looking  to  no  earthly  quarter  either  for  sanction  or  support.  I  say  to  no 
earthly  quarter,  by  which  I  mean,  to  no  sect  or  party,  or  convention  or 
imion,  that  should  represent  a  party  in  the  church.  The  merits  of  a  version 
are  the  only  fair  and  solid  ground  on  which  it  ought  to  obtain  general  sanc- 
tion. It  was  thus  with  the  Vulgate,  which  I  need  not  observe  to  you,  was 
the  basis  of  Luther's  and  of  our  common  version.  Jerome  revised  the  old 
Italic,  re-translated  the  Psalms  and  some  other  part«,  and  in  the  course  of 
a  century  or  two  afterwards,  it  was  universally  received  by  the  Latin  church. 
I  conceive  your  first  business  is  to  settle  the  text,  and  that  must  be  the  result 
of  the  translator's  own  judgment. 

"  A  new  version,  however,  faithfully  executed,  would  be  almost  useless, 
imless  it  be  from  a  pure  text.  The  next  business  must  be  to  settle  the 
principles  on  which  the  version  is  to  be  made,  and  this  also,  I  conceive,  must 
be  the  result  of  the  individual  translator's  judgment." 


50  APPENDIX. 

For  this  reason  he  recommended  individual  action,  as  opposed  to  united 
measures. 

Dr.  F.  A.  Cox,  in  a  note  dated  March  22d,  1841,  said — "I  have  named 
your  proposed  communication  to  the  Bible  Translation  Society,  to  the  proper 
parties  ;  but  the  impression  is  that  the  Society  would  not  be  likely  to  con- 
template such  a  project.  I  think,  too,  no  society,  as  such,  could  attempt  it. 
It  must  be  the  work  of  individuals.  Assuredly,  you  cannot  do  better  than 
employ  yourself  in  any  preliminary  enquiries  and  researches.  It  will  be 
worthy  of  your  powers,  and  a  right  emploj^ment  of  your  leisure.  The  accu- 
mulation of  facts  is  always  important  ;  their  ultimate  application  time  only 
can  determine.  I  wish  you  every  success  and  blessing  in  it,  and  may,  here- 
after, hope  for  the  pleasure  of  knowing  what  you  have  done." 

Dr.  Steane,  April  14th,  1841,  sent  a  reply  from  the  Committee.  He  said, 
"The  Committee  instruct  me  to  say  that  they  respectfully  acknowledge  and 
appreciate  your  kind  proposal,  and  to  assure  you  that  it  would  afford  them 
great  satisfaction  to  see  a  new  and  improved  translation  of  the  Word  of  God 
in  our  own  language.  Should  such  a  translation  be  accomplished,  they  would 
consider  it  at  once  their  privilege  and  duty  to  aid  its  publication.  They  con- 
ceive, however,  that  they  would  be  stepping  out  of  their  province  were  they 
to  undertake  it.  They  are  not  a  Society  of  translators,  nor  is  it  their  office 
to  make  translations ;  but  they  are  constituted  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  such 
translations,  when  made,  as  correspond  with  their  rules." 

Such  were  the  difficulties  in  the  way  of  such  an  attempt  here. 

So  far  as  I  have  yet  examined  your  corrected  version,  it  seems  to  me  to 
have  observed  as  nearly  as  possible  the  happy  mean,  (which  was  so  desirable 
in  a  first  step)  of  limiting  alterations  to  those,  to  which  as  little  objection 
could  be  taken  as  possible. 

With  prayer  for  the  accomplishment  of  your  best  wishes,  and  best  regards 
to  the  brethren  associated  with  you,  believe  me  willing  to  render  any  help 
in  my  power,  con  amore. 

I  am,  dear  brother,  yours  in  Christ, 

Very  sincerely, 

WM.  NORTON. 


THE  REV.  CHARLES  STOVEL,  OF  LONDON, 

Was  invited  to  address  the  American  Bible  Union  at  its  late  Anniversary ; 
but  previous  and  indispensable  engagements  prevented  his  compliance  with 
the  request  of  the  committee  of  arrangements.  He  expresses,  however, 
"  his  sincere  and  affectionate  congratulations  to  the  meeting,  from  which  he 
is  sorry  to  be  absent,"  and  sends  the  following  remarks  on  the  meaning,  &c., 
of  baptizo,  instead  of  a  speech. 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  C.  STOVEL,  OF  LONDON, 


ADDBESSBD    TO    THE  AMKBICAN    BIBLE   trNION. 


The  word  baptizein  has  been  translated  in  former  versions  of  Holy- 
Scripture  ;  and  therefore  the  proposal  now  made  is  not  a  novelty ;  and  no 
complaint  has  been  recorded  of  impropriety  therein,  in  former  cases ;  nor 
can  any  just  complaint  be  preferred  now.  That  word  has  been  chosen  by 
the  Spirit  to  express  a  meaning  which  it  is  important  that  every  reader  of 
Scripture  should  understand ;  and  that  the  reader  might  be  able  to  under- 
stand the  meaning  of  that  word,  it  has  been  uniformly  translated  in  the 
Gothic  version,  made  about  A.D.  350 ;  the  Saxon,  A.D.  500 ;  the  German 
of  Luther,  which  appeared  A.D.  1522 ;  and  the  Old  Syriac,  which  was  pre- 
pared as  early  as  A.D.  150. 

Using  as  an  example  Mark  1 :  8,  the  translations  of  baptizein  in  these 
four  versions,  are  as  follow : 

Gothic,  Ik  daupya,  I  dip,  or  immerse. 

Saxon,  Ic  fullige  eow,  I  immerse  you. 

German,  Ich  taufe  euch,  I  immerse  you. 

Syriac,  Ano  aymadth  kim,    I  immerse  you. 

The  word  used  by  Luther  in  the  German  is  the  same  with  that  employed 
by  Ulphilus  in  the  Gothic,  changed  by  usage  in  form,  but  not  in  meaning ; 
and  these  two  versions  give  the  most  precise  translation  of  baptizein  to 
immerse.  The  Saxon  would  seem  to  be  a  little  descriptive,  since  fullian 
signifies  not  only  to  immerse,  as  fullers  do  in  working,  but  also  to  make 
full,  to  make  perfect,  to  make  white,  or  clean,  as  a  fuller  makes  his  work. 
The  Syriac  is  still  more  descriptive.  Ephraim,  the  Syrian,  says  that  a  per- 
son has  not  been  properly  baptized,  translating  the  word  by  amad,  unless 
he  has  received  both  the  immersion  and  the  imposition  of  hands.  It  there- 
fore, in  his  time,  meant  immersion  and  something -more. 

Originally,  the  Hebrew  word,  amad,  signifies  to  stand,  to  take,  or  to  hold  a 
position,  as  a  pillar  in  an  edifice  ;  and  thence,  to  be  appointed  for  some  work. 
and  to  become.  Hence,  in  recording  the  fact  that  Hezekiah  appointed  priests 
and  Levites  for  a  certain  work,  the  Hebrew  word  amacZ  is  employed  in2Chron- 
icles  31  :  2.  This  is  not  represented  by  amad  in  the  S}rriac,  but  the  deriva- 
tive, ghamadho,  appears,  with  a  correspondent  meaning,  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, Gal.  2:9;  Apoc.  3  :  12,  and  10 : 1 ;  and  again.  1  Tim.  3  :  15.  But  the  act 

51 


52  APPENDIX. 

of  immersion,  represented  by  baptizein,  held  a  chief  place  in  that  whole 
proceeding  by  which  a  repenting  sinner  took  his  position  with  believers  in 
the  body  of  Christ ;  and  thus  it  came  to  form  a  chief  part  in  the  meaning  of 
amad,  by  which  that  whole  transaction  is  described.  It  would  then  be  used 
to  represent  baptizein,  in  cases  such  as  those  found  in  Mark  7 : 1 — 5,  which 
relate  to  the  purification  of  pots  and  beds,  by  which  they  become  eligible 
for  ordinary  use ;  but  in  2  Kings,  5  :  10 — 14,  where  no  such  result  is  con- 
templated, it  does  not  represent  baptizein,  and  it  is  never  used  in  the  New 
Testament  to  translate  bapto.  This  word  is  rendered  by  tzabang,  to  im- 
merse, which,  according  to  Ephraim  the  Syrian,  is  comprehended  in  the 
religious  meaning  of  amad,  together  with  the  imposition  of  hands. 

The  original  and  proper  meaning  of  baptizein,  was  to  immerse.  In  this 
sense  it  was  uniformly  employed  by  Christ  and  his  apostles.  No  other  idea 
was  attached  to  the  word  itself.  But  at  a  very  early  age  after  it  was  used 
to  designate  a  christian  ordinance,  this  meaning  was  corrupted  by  the  addition 
of  ideas,  which  are  not  properly  comprehended  in  the  word  itself.  Such 
corruption  progressed  until  ultimately  the  term  was  employed  in  the  Romish 
Church,  as  the  word  baptize  in  English,  to  embrace  all  the  ceremonies 
practised  at  the  initiation  of  candidates. 

Considering  the  immense  and  rapid  augmentation  of  Christian  intercourse, 
a  supposed  necessity  for  some  word  to  express  the  whole  act  of  initiation  into 
the  body  of  Christ,  is  only  what  every  attentive  observer  might  have  expected. 
Several  expressions  in  the  sacred  writings,  were  capable  of  being  employed  for 
such  a  use ;  of  these,  photizein,  to  enlighten,  Heb.  6  :  4,  and  10  :  32,  with 
teleio-o,  to  perfect,  and  baptizein  eis  Una,  to  baptize  into  some  one.  1  Cor. 
1 :  13, 10  :  2,  and  Gal.  3  :  27,  may  be  considered  as  examples.  Each  of  these 
forms  of  speech  represents  the  act  of  initiation,  considered  from  some  particu- 
lar point  of  view.  To  enlighten,  indicates  the  advantage  obtained  in  knowledge 
and  recognized  in  the  person  initiated,  with  his  peculiar  privilege  in  making 
further  acquisitions.  The  word,  to  perfect,  describes  the  same  act,  viewed 
in  relation  to  that  complete  social  privilege  to  which  the  initiated  were  ad- 
vanced ;  and  to  baptize  into  some  one,  by  referring  to  the  external  act  of 
immersion,  pointed  out  the  personal  relationship  into  which  the  initiated 
person  had  entered.  He  who  had  been  baptized  into  Christ,  was  ever  after 
spoken  of  as  a  man  in  Christ  Jesus,  until  that  privileged  position  had  been 
forfeited  by  sin. 

The  ordinary  use  of  these  terms  by  Christian  brethren  must  have  been 
affected  by  many  circumstances.  Many  occasions  would  occur  for  speaking 
of  persons  in  the  body  of  Christ,  and  of  their  initiation,  when  a  reference 
to  their  superiority  in  knowledge  would  scarcely  be  convenient.  The  ex- 
pression, to  perfect,  had  a  still  further  objection  ;  it  not  only  referred  to 
supposed  personal  advantage,  but  had  in  the  same  sense  been  used  in  refer- 
ence to  aU  the  idolatrous  associations  from  which  the  brethren  had  with- 
drawn, and  which  they  were  taught  daily,  to  abhor.     Yet  both  these  forms 


LETTER     FROM    REV.    C.    STOVEL.  53 

of  speech  were  employed  by  the  ancient  Christians,  to  a  great  extent,  and 
with  considerable  precision,  with  respect  to  their  import ;  but  the  form,  to 
baptize  into,  was  most  common  with  the  sacred  writers  ;  it  was  included 
in  the  Lord's  Commission  ;  its  prominent  idea  was  that  of  subjection  ;  and 
it  was  less  powerfully  associated  with  abominations  of  the  heathen.  It 
therefore  became  the  most  popular.  It  finally  superseded  the  other  forms  of 
speech,  and,  by  frequent  use,  especially  when  the  act  of  entering  into  Christ 
was  fully  understood,  the  eis  ton  Christon,  which  expressed  it,  became,  as 
convenience  required,  omitted  in  the  expression,  and  the  word  to  baptize 
became  used  alone, — not  as  identical  with  baptizein,  as  used  before  the 
coming  of  our  Lord,  and  signifying  simply  to  immerse,  but  as  representing 
the  whole  form,  baptizein  eis  ton  Christon,  contracted  into  baptizein,  and 
so  signifying  now,  to  immerse  into  the  name  or  the  body  of  Christ. 

"When  the  gospel  was  first  sent  out  into  the  world,  in  all  those  places 
where  its  first  victories  were  obtained,  the  Greek  and  Latin  languages  were, 
in  speech  and  in  writing,  and  often  by  the  same  persons,  in  constant  use. 
Between  the  extreme  limits  of  civilization.  South  and  North,  from  the  Indus 
to  the  western  shores  of  Europe,  the  chief  civil  power  and  centre  of  political 
intercourse  was  in  Italy.  The  gospel  was  not  only  taught,  but  early  received 
in  Rome,  and  in  Cassar's  household ;  and  for  the  multitude  of  behevers 
who  spake  the  language  of  Italy,  versions  of  holy  scripture  were  made  as 
early  as  A.D.  100 ;  and  the  collation  of  these,  called  the  old  Italic,  as  early 
as  A.D.  150.  These  Italic  versions  were  read  not  only  at  the  same  period. 
but  often  by  the  very  persons  who  were  also  required  to  read  the  Greek 
scriptures,  and  speak  the  Greek  language.  Under  such  circumstances, 
especially  considering  that  the  whole  body  of  Christ  was  as  one  family, 
nothing  could  have  been  more  natural  than  to  transfer  from  the  Greek  to 
the  Italic  Scriptures  a  word  which  had  come  to  be  used  in  the  body  of 
Christ,  with  a  technical  meaning  peculiar  to  that  society.  The  Italic  lan- 
guage had  no  word  which  would  exactly  translate  baptizein  in  this  acquired 
meaning.  Immerse  would  not  do  it,  except,  with  the  additional  phrase,  it 
were  written  immerse  into  the  Christ ;  and  initiate  would  not  do  it,  for  it 
means  more  than  baptizein  does,  in  many  places  of  scripture,  and  less  than 
the  phrase  for  initiation,  wherever  it  occurs.  To  write,  "  Ye,  as  many  as 
have  been  initiated,  have  put  on  Christ,"  would  not,  when  that  translation 
was  made,  declare  a  truth ;  for  multitudes  were  initiated,  at  Eleusis,  by 
whom  the  Christians  were  crucified.  Pilate  himself  might  have  been  in- 
itiated there.  As  therefore  the  word  baptizein,  in  its  acquired  technical 
meaning,  could  not  be  translated  by  any  word  then  existing  in  the  Italic 
language,  it  was  transferred  and  stands  in  that  version,  sometimes  meaning 
too  much,  and  at  other  times  suggesting  too  httle,  but  always  with  an  Italic 
swagger — bap-tiz-are. 

Whenever  the  word  baptizein,  baptizare,  or  amad,  was  used  to  describe 
the  whole  act  and  process  of  initiation,  as  performed  in  the  body  of  Christ 


54  APPENDIX. 

the  necessity  for  explaining,  and  the  opportunity  for  disputing  their  import, 
were  inevitable.  Hence,  at  an  early  age,  Ephraim,  the  Syrian  had  to  explain 
that  to  complete  the  meaning  of  amad,  a  convert  must  receive  both  the  im- 
mersion and  the  laying  on  of  hands.  And  haptizein  itself,  when,  with  a 
meaning  it  had  acquired  from  the  Commission  and  ministry  of  our  Lord 
and  His  disciples,  it  was  carried  back  to  represent  the  meaning  which  had 
been  established  before  our  Lord  came,  must  have  required  some  authority 
to  explain  the  diiference  of  meaning  which  it  bore  in  one  place,  and  at  one 
time,  from  that  which  it  manifestly  had  in  the  others.  Before  Christ  came, 
and  afterwards,  in  aifairs  Christian  and  profane,  but  not  connected  with 
initiation,  it  had  the  meaning  to  immerse.  After  the  ascension  of  our  Lord, 
and  the  death  of  his  Apostles,  it  came  to  represent  the  meaning  to  immerse, 
with  the  additional  idea  variously  represented,  by  into  the  name  of  Christ ; 
into  the  name  of  the  Father.,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit ;  or,  by  the 
shorter  expression,  into  the  Christ.  It  is  by  adding  the  idea  expressed  in 
these  phrases,  to  its  original  meaning,  to  immerse,  that  we  make  up  the 
import  of  haptizein,  to  initiate.  The  question  must  have  been  ever  re- 
turning. What  is  this  additional  idea  1  In  all  the  regions  where  ha/ptizein 
and  baptizare  were  since  used,  in  respect  to  outward  form  and  spiritual 
communication,  the  discussion  of  this  enquiry  has  been,  not  only  perceptible, 
but  positively  blasting.  It  fell  like  an  East  wind  upon  the  blossoms  of  Par- 
adise. Ephraim  says,  the  idea  additional  to  immersion  is  that  of  the  im- 
position of  hands;  others  in  his  age  pleaded  that  this  additional  idea 
includes  a  certain  fluid,  or  semen,  communicated  in  the  act  of  immersion 
from  God  to  the  sinner  baptized  ;  but  some  advanced  to  require  the  addition 
of  salt ;  others  would  have  the  immersion  threefold ;  and  then  a  taper  was 
added ;  with  spittle,  oil,  the  sign  of  a  cross,  a  sham  sword  to  fight  the  devil 
with,  and  things  which  piety  cannot  bear  to  think  upon,  and  which  decency 
would  shudder  to  describe.  As  these  corruptions  were  added  to  the  initia- 
tion, additions  were  made  to  the  meaning  of  haptizein  and  haptizare,  until, 
to  haptize,  or  to  be  baptized,  has,  in  the  language  of  different  sects  and 
ages,  come  to  represent  a  wagon-load  of  impious  absurdities,  unsalted  with 
one  thing  that  God  commands,  which,  by  perverting  the  very  terms  of  our 
Lord's  Commission,  in  defiance  of  his  authority  and  in  contempt  of  his  aim, 
was,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  dragged  into 
the  presence,  and  made  to  desecrate  the  household,  habitation,  and  ordi- 
nances of  offended  but  compassionating  Deity, 

The  only  protection  which  a  moral  discipline  affords  against  these  shame- 
ful products  of  depraved  imaginations,  is  that  which  God  has  graciously 
given  in  a  strict  adherence  to  his  holy  Word.  If  the  Greek,  haptizein,  had 
been  retained  in  that  language,  in  the  meaning  it  bore  when  chosen  by  the 
sacred  writers  for  their  use,  the  daily  reading  of  the  Scriptures  would  have 
been  a  corrective  for  any  error  which  might  have  been  suggested  to  any 
mind  on  the  subject  to  which  it  refers.     The  simple  meaning  to  immerse,  so 


LETTER    FROM    KEV.    C.    STOVEL.  55 

prevalent  in  the  gospels  and  the  arts,  would  prepare  the  reader  for  those 
more  complex  forms  which  appear  in  the  commission  and  the  epistles,  to 
express  the  complex  process  of  initiation.  Baptizein,  to  immerse,  could 
not  then  have  been  confounded  with  the  phrase,  baptizein  eis  ton 
Christon ;  to  immerse  into  the  Christ.  A  perfect  attention  to  these  very 
words  of  God  would  have  repelled  doctrinal  as  well  as  ceremonial  corrupt- 
ions, which  have  grown  like  a  cancer  in  the  body  of  Christ,  and  thr.eatened 
its  very  existence.  Where  the  Greek  language  itself  was  spoken  for  ages 
in  the  Church,  history  affords  an  illustration  of  this  truth  which  might  burn 
the  heart  of  him  who  studies  it.  Where  the  Greek  language  had  to  be 
translated,  the  indispensible  necessity  for  adhering  to  the  utmost  literality 
and  fulness  of  translation,  is  as  clearly  seen.  By  this  means  the  word  of 
God  is  made  to  be  expanded  and  define  its  own  import,  and  to  put  the 
reader  into  communion  with  the  mind  of  its  adorable  Author.  His  Word 
has  been  constructed  by  Jehovah  for  this  end  ;  and,  he  who  alters  that  word 
in  Greek  or  English,  though  seeminghj  for  improvement,  is,  deservedly,  as 
one  who,  desiring  to  improve  the  lenses  of  his  ej^e,  entailed  upon  himself 
everlasting  blindness. 

The  Saxon  version,  and  with  it  the  rendering  of  baptizein  by  fullian 
continued  in  use  in  England  until  the  hierarchy  introduced  from  Rome. 
Submitting  to  the  Papal  See,  swamped  the  manly  piety  which  that  version 
had  sustained.  From  thence  to  the  time  of  Wicklif,  such  religious  instructions 
as  England  was  permitted  to  receive,  were  delivered  chiefly  in  the  Latin  lan- 
guage; and,  with  these,  the  fascinating  and  so  called  sacred  BAPTIZARE, 
came  into  English  use.  Clipped  to  suit  the  Saxon  taste,  as  given  in  the 
word  baptize.  It  crawled  like  a  lizard  from  the  Papal  swamp,  and  gained 
forbearance  even  of  Wicklif.  Tyndale  professedly  refused  to  touch  the  rites 
and  ceremonies  of  religion,  and  therefore,  his  retaining  of  the  term  may  be 
easily  explained.  A  few  despised,  but  noble-hearted  Puritans  of  his  age, 
and  that  which  followed,  would  have  cleared  the  ground,  and  done  the  work 
completely ;  but  their  strength  was  small,  the  resistance  insurmountable, 
and  the  outcry  immense.  The  ordinance  itself,  unquestionably  of  divine 
authority,  was  entwined  by  human  artifice  with  every  interest  in  social  exis- 
tence ;  and  if  it  was  not  then  exactly  what  it  was  when  our  Lord  ordained 
it,  the  cross,  the  sponsors,  and  its  other  modifications,  were  of  respectable 
origin.  Its  name,  therefore,  to  which  they  were  adapted,  must  be  retained, 
Bap-tis-miim  therefore,  that  beautiful  trisyllabicon,  was  retained  in  many 
cases  and  for  a  while,  until  sectarian  dread  was  satisfied  with  baptism  and 
baptize.  But  here  it  became  fixed  like  a  casting  when  it  sets  for  ever. 
Every  argument  pleading  for  a  nearer  approximation  to  the  terms  and 
requirement  of  divine  truth,  has  hitherto  been  repelled  with  ardor  and  con- 
stancy approaching  to  infatuation.  In  the  hierarchy  it  was  felt  that  all 
stability  depended  on  the  firmness  which  its  advocates  exhibited  here  ;  and 
out  of  the  hierarchy,  all  the  compliment  paid  to  it  and  to  the  feehng  it 


56  APPENDIX. 

created,  was  gone,  whenever  these,  its  sectarian  terms,  became  abandoned. 
Without  these  terms,  and  driven  to  the  bald  immersion,  immerse,  and  im- 
merse into,  of  the  Evangelists,  the  hierarchy  would  become  as  feeble  and  as 
poor  as  they,  and  the  followers  of  its  camp  would  fall  in  character  and  posi- 
tion beneath  all  contempt.  The  cross,  the  god-father,  the  god-mother,  with 
every  papal  daubing,  must  all  come  off  and  perish  in  the  immersions  of  an- 
tiquity, The  droppings  that  descend  as  the  rain,  the  so  called  privilege  of 
infants,  the  homage  or  hz^mage  offered  by  religious  teachers  at  the  shrine  of 
maternal  sentimentality,  with  at  least  the  hope  of  grace  imparted  in  the  act, 
will  stand  like  naked  impostors  in  the  place  of  judgment,  when  these  verbal 
fig-leaves  have  been  snatched  away.  Baptize  and  baptism,  therefore,  derive 
all  their  value  from  the  controversial  shelter  they  supply.  This  fact  is  not 
only  demonstrated  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  facts  which  bear  upon 
these  denominational  questions  ;  but  also  by  experience.  Elizabeth,  Whit- 
gif,  Graves  and  Laud,  knew  what  they  contended  for,  and  they  knew,  from 
the  Scripture  reading  of  their  time,  with  its  effects,  that  nothing  could  have 
fallen  on  their  system  with  a  fiercer  blast  than  a  pure  and  perfect  version  of 
the  Word  of  God.  Hence  their  determination  to  keep  its  translation  in 
their  own  hands,  and  then  to  secure  a  translation  suited  to  their  purposes. 
Had  these  holy  witnesses,  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  been  unbound,  the 
question  about  rites  and  ceremonies  would  have  been  decided  sooner  than 
their  advocates  could  have  felt  convenient. 

The  question  whether  to  baptize  be  now  an  English,  Latin,  or  Greek 
word,  is  not  worth  a  moment's  consideration.  It  is  far  more  important  to 
Dbserve  that,  when  our  Lord  and  his  disciples  used  it  in  constructing  the 
New  Testament,  the  word  was  in  common  use,  and  had  a  popular  meaning  ; 
and,  since  no  new  definition  of  its  import  has  been  given  by  them,  it  is  to  be 
concluded  that  they  employed  the  word,  with  that  common  meaning  which 
men  in  general  must  have  assigned  to  it.  Up  to  the  time  in  which  the  canon 
of  Scripture  was  completed,  the  writings  in  which  the  word  is  found  give 
undoubted  proofs  of  its  import :  and,  since  it  has  been  transferred  to  other 
languages  and  in  a  new  sense,  the  question  is,  whether,  encumbered  as  it 
has  been  with  agglomerations  of  error,  it  is  fit  to  retain  its  position  as  a 
word  translating  the  original  term.  If  the  ordinance  were  exactly  what  it 
was  when  the  Saviour  left  it,  the  case  would  be  vastly  different :  but,  when 
on  all  hands  it  is  confessed  that  the  ordinance  has  been  changed,  so  that 
every  one  of  its  real  elements  has  been  abandoned,  the  requirement  of  faith, 
the  maturity  of  its  subjects,  the  nature  of  the  act,  and  the  consequences  of 
its  admmistration,  having  all  been  set  aside  to  make  place  for  the  soul 
devouring  errors  of  sacramental  efficacy  and  hereditary  claims  to  the  coven- 
ant of  grace,  with  physical  observances  which  had  no  existence,  even  in 
thought,  at  the  time  of  our  Lord  and  his  Apostles,  to  use  the  appellation  of 
these  pernicious  fictions,  to  designate  the  ordinance  of  our  Lord,  on  the  very 
pages  which  prefers  to  be  a  translation  of  his  holy  Word,  is  to  create  a 


LETTER    FROM    REV.    C.    STOVEL.  67 

darkness  which  must  be  felt  with  pleasure  by  the  adversaries  of  divine  law, 
but  with  bitterness  by  its  advocates  and  adherents. 

It  is  argued  that  the  meaning  of  the  word  is  doubtful.  This  assumption 
is  against  all  evidence,  and  the  positive  affirmation  of  high  authorities,  while 
the  failure  of  some  who  have  recently  labored  to  establish  that  ground  would 
seem  to  confirm  their  judgement.  But  if  we  admit  the  plea,  then  a  doubtful 
interpretation  of  any  word  in  the  divine  law  ought  not  to  be  admitted.  It 
were  better  to  translate  all  the  words  connected  with  it  literally,  and  then 
send  the  version  forth,  with  all  thfe  places  in  which  the  word  baptizein  and 
its  derivatives  occur,  left  blank.  The  Churches  might  then  implore  a  divine 
direction  in  dealing  with  the  word  which  no  man  is  able  to  translate.  This 
expedient  would  settle  the  controversy ;  for,  if  such  a  version  were  given, 
all  mankind  would  see  and  testify  that  no  English  word  will  read  in  all  the 
places  except  the  word  immerse,  which  is  its  proper  representative. 

Again,  suppose  the  word  to  be  translated  by  immerse,  and  this  word,  with 
all  the  connexions  in  which  baptizein  is  found  in  the  New  Testament  literally 
translated,  were  scheduled  on  a  single  sheet — which  may  be  done  with  ease — 
then  the  world  may  be  challenged  to  prove  that  the  us^is  loqiiendi  of  any  pas- 
sage has  been  sacrificed  thereby,  or  that  a  single  obscurity  remains  to  perplex 
the  English  reader.  This  has,  in  effect,  been  done ;  and  the  fact  that  no  one 
has  dared  to  meet  the  question  on  that  ground  goes  far  to  prove,  that  such 
an  investigation  will  place  beyond  all  doubt  the  affirmation,  that  immerse  is 
the  one  and  only  EngUsh  word  by  which  the  word  baptizein  can  be  faith- 
fully translated. 

The  word  baptize,  stained  as  it  has  been  by  error  and  corruptions,  can 
not  now  precisely  express  the  ancient  meaning  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  because  : 
First. — The  technical  meaning,  to  Christianize,  which  is  pleaded  for  the 
word  baptize  in  English,  is  never  expressed  in  the  Greek  Testament  by  bap- 
tizein alone,  but  by  the  formula,  baptizein  eis  ton  Christon, — to  immerse  into 
the  Christ ;  or,  into  the  name  of  the  Christ ;  or  more  fully,  into  the  name  of 
the  Father,  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  When  the  word  is  used 
without  these  adjuncts,  therefore,  to  use  the  word  baptize,  as  meaning  to 
Christianize,  is  to  misrepresent  the  fact.  In  every  such  case  the  professed 
translation  of  God's  holy  word  states  an  untruth. 

Secondly. — By  this  mistranslation  of  the  divine  word,  the  requirements 
and  consequences  of  initiation  into  the  body  of  Christ,  are  flagitiouslj^  con- 
cealed. The  proper  effect  of  baptizesthai  eis  ton  Christon, — to  be  im- 
mersed into  the  Christ,  is  einai  entoi  Christoi, — to  be  in  the  Christ.  But 
the  connexion  between  these  two  events,  as  expressed  by  baptize,  and  in 
Christ,  in  the  meaning  given  to  the  English  words,  can  be  pleaded  and  ex- 
plained in  no  way  whatever,  except  by  those  who  teach  the  Romanist  doc- 
trine of  baptismal  regeneration  in  infants  and  unbelievers.  All  who  shudder 
at  this  soul-devouring  fiction  are  compelled,  in  practice,  to  eat  their  own 
words,  or  to  disclaim  their  import,  though  these  words  have  been  uttered 


58  APPENDIX. 

in  their  own  prayers,  as  they  say,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  the  place  given,  to  these  very  words,  in  a  professed 
translation  of  inspired  documents  notwithstanding. 

Thirdly.  If  the  word  baptize  mean  to  Christianize :  then  the  use  of  that 
term  in  translating  the  formulae  by  which  initiation  is  expressed  in  the 
New  Testament,  produces  a  pleonastic  absurdity,  as  discordant  with  the 
style  of  the  sacred  writers,  as  it  is  with  the  nature  of  their  theme.  To 
write :  "  Ye,  as  many  as  were  Christianized  into  Christ  have  put  on  Christ," 
is  not  accordant  with  the  style  of  Paul ;  but  what  can  be  said  of  "  Our 

fathers" "  were  all  Christianized  into  Moses  in  the  cloud  and  in  the  sea," 

1  Cor.  10 : 1,  2  ?  And  again :  "  Christianize  them  into  the  name  of  the 
Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit "  ?  The  absurdity  apparent  in  the 
application  of  the  rule,  which  might  easily  be  exhibited  in  stronger  light,  is, 
of  itself,  an  ample  demonstration  of  its  impropriety. 

Fourthly.  It  is  not  denied  that  in  some  parts  of  English  literature,  and 
especially  of  that  which  is  religious,  the  word  baptize  is  used  as  an  English 
word,  meaning  to  Christianize  ;  but  it  is  affirmed  that  this  word,  used  in 
this  sense,  can  never  convey  to  an  English  reader  the  meaning  of  the  Spirit 
in  any  one  passage  of  the  New  Testament  where  baptizein  is  used  alone 
without  an  ellipsis  of  the  adjunctive  terms.  In  such  cases  the  English  word 
means  too  mvich  ;  and  its  exuberance  in  import  turns  the  sacred  text  into 
absurdity.  Who  could  bear  to  read,  "  Let  Lazarus  christianize  his  finger 
in  water,  and  cool  my  tongue ;"  or  "  The  sop,  when  I  have  christianized  it ;" 
or  "  A  vesture  christianized  in  blood  "  ?  And  if  the  supposed  difference 
between  baptein  and  baptizein  be  pleaded,  then  what  can  be  said  of  those 
Pharisees  from  the  market,  who  eat  not  except  they  christianize  ?  when  in 
all  nrobability  they  never  received  Christ  at  all ;  and  yet  "  many  other 
things  there  are  which  they  have  received  to  hold,  as  the  christianizing  of 
cups,  and  pots,  and  brazen  vessels,  and  couches."  Mark  7 :  3,  4.  To  chris- 
tianize, may  be  an  English  word,  though  not  a  very  good  one,  but  in  the 
pages  of  holy  scripture  its  appearance  as  a  representative  of  baptizein  is  so 
impudently  wrong  that  without  assistance  from  the  Grecian  mask  baptize 
it  dares  not  to  look  anj^  Englishman  in  the  face. 

Fifthly.  Some  persons,  shrinking  from  these  results,  propose  that  the 
word  be  translated  to  wash,  or  by  some  other  word  that  may  suit  each 
place.  This  cannot  be  allowed.  To  immerse,  gives  a  uniform  translation, 
to  every  passage  and  connexion  in  which  the  word  and  its  derivatives  appear. 
Any  other  word  proposed  must  give,  at  least,  a  similar  uniformity  of  trans- 
lation. To  wash,  will  not  do  this.  It  may  pass  for  the  Jewish  cups,  and 
pots,  and  brazen  vessels,  and  couches,  though  it  does  not  there  convey  ex- 
actly the  meaning  of  the  Spirit ;  but,  -lohn  was  washing  in  iEnon,  near  to 
Salim,  is  rather  suggestive  ;  and,  he  washed  them  in  the  Jordan,  is  queer ; 
but,  he  shall  wash  you  in  fire — a  garment  washed  in  blood — the  sop  when 
I  have  washed  it — wash  them  into  the  name  of  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  of 


LETTER   FROM    REV.    C.    STOVEL.  59 

the  Holy  Spirit — were  you  washed  into  the  name  of  Paul  ? — washed  into 
Moses — washed  into  Christ — arise  and  be  washed,  and  wash  away  thy 
sins, — are  all  absolutely  outrageous.  The  words  to  sprinkle^  to  pour,  are 
worse  still,  because  they  change  the  subjects  and  objects  of  the  actions  de- 
scribed. Indeed,  if  the  New  Testament  be  taken  as  a  whole,  and  its  pas- 
sages be  collated  to  supply  the  evidence,  greater  and  more  conclusive  proof 
cannot  be  required,  that  the  Spirit  intends,  when  using  the  word  baptizein, 
to  fix  the  thoughts  of  men  upon  the  act  of  immersion,  and  nothing  "else. 

Sixthly.  The  importance  of  translating  this  word  in  all  places  of  scrip- 
ture where  it  and  its  derivatives  are  found,  is  seen  from  the  influence  which 
the  action  it  describes  has  on  others  which  relate  to  personal  salvation.  It 
is  only  by  comparing  the  places  in  which  any  word  is  found,  that  its  true 
meaning  can  be  ascertained.  But  when  the  word  baptizein  has  been  trans- 
lated in  some  places,  and  borrowed  in  others,  it  not  only  becomes  obscured, 
as  to  its  own  import,  but  it  also  becomes  a  means  of  obscuring  other  words. 
Wash,  sprinkle,  pour,  and  initiate,  as  well  as  immerse,  have  their  proper 
meanings  and  places  in  the  communications  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  and  they 
have  specific  reference,  in  different  ways,  to  the  nature  and  use  of  the 
Atonement.  If  obscurity  be  chosen  in  one  case,  it  will  by  necessity  extend 
to  others.  A  more  painful  proof  of  this  fact  can  scarcely  be  required,  than 
that  labyrinth  of  practical  error  which  appears  obstructing  an  entrance  on 
the  path  of  life  in  every  place  where  our  holy  gospel  is  proclaimed  in  the 
English  language.  It  is  in  these  beginnings  of  erroneous  action  that  the 
enemy  has  been  entrenched,  and  in  these  entrenchments  the  enemy  must 
be  fought  and  overcome.  His  strength  there  consists  in  the  darkness  which 
encompasses  his  plans  and  operations,  and  the  strength  of  all  operations 
directed  towards  his  defeat  will  be  derived  from  the  light  and  glory  which 
emanates,  in  the  Spirit,  from  a  pure  and  perfect  translation  of  divine  laws. 

One  important  aspect  of  the  question  has  been  stated  in  the  Lectures  on 
Christian  Discipleship,  published  by  C.  Stovel,  in  1846,  at  page  253  : 

"  If  only  four  passages  be  collated— Rom.  6 :  3-13,  Gal.  3  :  25-29,  Col.  2 : 
10-15,  and  Titus  3  : 4-7 — the  affirmations  made  of  baptized  persons 
amount,  at  least,  to  nineteen ;  and  not  less  than  seven  practical  inductions 
are  drawn  from  the  facts  so  stated.  Whatever  these  might  be,  they  ought 
to  be  considered.  But  the  character  of  the  facts  and  inferences  renders  this 
even  more  imperative.  Those  who  are  baptized  into  Christ,  are  said  to  be 
baptized  into  his  death,  buried  with  him,  planted^  with  him  ;  their  faith  is 
said  to  have  come ;  they  are  sons  of  God  by  faith  in  Christ  -Jesus ;  they 
have  put  on  Christ ;  are  one  in  Christ ;  a  seed  of  Abraham  complete  in 
Christ ;  circumcised  with  the  circumcision  without  hands ;  buried  with  him, 
risen  with  him,  quickened  with  him,  forgiven  their  sins,  saved  by  the  wash- 
ing of  a  new  birth  and  by  a  renewing  of  the  Spirit,  justified,  and  heirs 
according  to  the  hope  of  eternal  life.  Whatever  the  Holy  Spirit  may  mean 
by  these  affirmations,  they  are  obviously  designed  for  practical  use ;  and 


60  APPENDIX. 

before  they  can  be  used,  they  must  be  understood.  One  party  says,  that 
these  affirmations  indicate  the  value  of  baptismal  regeneration  in  infants 
and  unbelievers ;  another  expounds  from  them  the  solemnity  and  sacredness 
of  an  immersed  believer's  inheritance  in  the  body  of  Christ ;  a  third,  in  the 
rage  of  controversy,  declares  that  all  these  words  of  the  Spirit  mean  nothing 
that  deserves  attention.  How  shall  men  decide  ?  These  great  practical  re- 
alities change  the  character  of  time  with  the  destinies  of  eternity.  They  are 
given  to  be  enjoyed  ;  and,  ridiculed  as  they  may  be,  it  is  in  the  enjoyment 
of  these  realities  only  that  sinners  can  be  blessed.  It  is,  too,  a  chief  object 
now  that  those  who  desire  these  spiritual  realities  granted  in  the  covenant 
of  grace,  should  enjoy  them  fully,  without  any  mistake,  without  any  induce- 
ment to  sentimentality  or  superstition.  There  the  experience  of  men  ought 
to  fill  up  the  import  of  the  covenanting  word.  How  may  this  be  done  ? 
While  one  is  crying  one  thing,  and  another  -another,  the  onlj^  safe  and  modest 
way  is  to  give  each  man  a  perfected  version  of  the  Holy  Word.  While  men 
are  debating,  let  the  words  of  God  himself  be  freed  from  all  obscurity.  His 
truth  may  shine  dreadful  as  the  day-beam  on  a  robber's  path,  but  let  it  shine ; 
his  word  may  sound  fearfully,  like  a  judge's  voice  upon  a  culprit's  ear,  but 
let  it  sound !  Let  its  sound  go  forth  into  all  the  earth,  and  its  utterances 
to  the  end  of  the  world,  for  all  its  communications  are  just  and  true,  and  by 
its  rectifying  energies  the  children  of  a  forgiving  father  shall  appreciate  their 
inheritance  in  his  love,  and  peacefully  rejoice  in  its  appropriation.  In  the 
light  of  God's  Holy  Word,  freed  from  the  beguiling  influence  of  deceptive 
terms,  the  sand-drift  of  an  opus  operatum,  will  appear  terrible  in  fallacy  ; 
and  poor  unlettered  men  will  learn  to  comprehend  its  ruinous  devastations. 
Let  God  speak  in  his  own  words,  unmodified  by  human  artifice,  and  those 
who  make  a  wide  mouth  at  his  divine  bestowments  will  obtain  their  answer 
from  himself,  and  in  his  own  terms. 

To  make  men  build  their  hope  of  mercy  on  some  unsubstantial  ground 
has  ever  formed  a  master  policy  of  hell ;  and  if  this  policy  has  appeared  in 
any  case  more  eminently  destructive  and  pernicious  than  in  the  corruption 
of  our  Lord's  ordinances,  and  in  the  wresting  of  his  words  in  which  they  are 
defined,  the  fact  has  not  yet  reached  my  observation.  Men  require  no 
stronger  case  than  that  which  is  presented  in  the  treatment  of  the  word  bap- 
tize, with  the  moral  and  spiritual  consequences  which  have  ensued.  Its  re- 
medy is  as  simple  as  the  error  is  pernicious  and  profound.  The  American 
Bible  Union,  therefore,  is  moved  and  entreated,  in  all  its  versions,  English 
and  Foreign,  to  let  the  word  baptizein,  with  all  its  derivatives,  be  translated 
faithfully,  and  to  give,  wherever  it  is  found,  the  most  literal  and  faithful 
translation  of  the  particles  and  words  with  which  it  is  combined. 


CERTAIN  EFFECTS  OF  THE  UNIVOCAL  PRINCIPLE. 


EXTRACT    FROM    A    LATE   LETTER    OF    TKE   REV.    A.    MACLAT,    D.D. 


The  beneficial  effects  which  must  result  from  carrying  fully  into  effect 
the  univocal  plan  of  translating  the  sacred  scriptures,  in  all  languages, 
eternity  alone  can  disclose.  But  unless  we  shut  our  eyes  against  the  light, 
we  may  easily  see  several  advantages  which  cannot  fail  to  result,  through 
the  blessing  of  God,  fi-om  carrying  this  principle  into  fuU  effect. 

In  the  first  place,  the  principle  is  a  correct  one,  to  give  the  Bible  faithfully 
and  completely  translated,  to  every  nation  under  heaven,  in  its  own  mother 
tongue,  that  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  may  read  in  its  vernacular 
tongue,  "all  the  words  of  this  life." 

Secondly.  It  will  have  a  great  tendency  to  produce  Christian  union  on 
Bible  'principles.  The  concealing  principle,  in  transferring  a  part  of 
divine  truth,  instead  of  translating  the  whole,  involves  the  unlearned  in 
darkness,  and  tends  to  keep  those  apart  who  ought  to  be  closely  united  in 
the  bonds  of  truth  and  love. 

Thirdly.  This  holy  union,  which  faithful  translations  of  the  Bible  in 
all  languages,  on  the  univocal  principle,  wiU  greatly  tend  to  produce  and 
perpetuate,  will  be  the  means  of  silencing  the  opposers  of  divine  truth,  and 
of  inducing  them  to  beheve  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     John  17  :  21. 

Fourthly.  The  Bible  translated  in  the  English  language  on  the  univocal 
principle,  on  which  aU  our  other  translations  are  made,  wiU  produce  discus- 
sion, among  other  denominations  of  Christians,  as  well  as  in  our  own 
denomination,  which  cannot  fail  to  aid  in  the  discovery  of  the  correct 
principles  on  which  Biblical  translations  should  be  made,  in  all  languages. 
In  translating  baptizo  and  its  cognates  into  plain  English,  for  the  benefit 
of  aU  who  speak  our  mother  tongue,  we  shall  probably  be  opposed  by 
tJie  whole  race  of  infant  sprinklers ;  but  we  can  easily  demolish  this  part 
of  the  Antichristian  system  by  their  own  weapons,  as  David  did  Goliah. 
We  can  produce  hundreds  of  cases  in  which  their  own  best  writers  declare 
that  immersion  is  the  true  meaning  of  the  Greek  word  baptizo.  Oppo- 
sition to  us,  by  the  Pedobaptists,  will  produce  union  among  ourselves. 
All  Baptists  believe  that  the  Greek  baptizo  means  to  immerse  ;  and  they 


62  APPENDIX. 

will  be  compelled  to  maintain  the  ground  which  in  all  ages  they  have 
successfully  and  triumphantly  defended.  Even  those  of  our  brethren  who 
are  opposed  to  making  a  revised  version  in  the  English  language,  will  be 
compelled  to  justify  our  translation,  or  cease  to  be  Baptists.  . 

Fifthly.  A  faithful  translation  of  the  sacred  scriptures  in  the  English 
language,  on  the  univocal  'principle  on  which  all  our  translations  are  made 
in  foreign  languages,  will  do  more  to  overthrow  "  the  main  pillar  of  Popery, ^^ 
than  all  the  works  that  have  ever  been  written  by  mere  men  against  the 
accursed  things  which  has  done  more  to  corrupt  the  religion  of  Jesus  than 
all  the  other  inventions  of  the  Wicked  One.  It  makes  the  Church  the  world, 
by  bringing  in  millions  and  hundreds  of  millions  of  unbelievers  into  the 
Church,  in  an  unconverted  state,  before  they  know  the  right  hand  from  the 
loft — laying  a  foundation  for  the  union  of  Church  and  State,  and  con- 
tributing to  deceive  and  damn  thousands  of  millions  of  our  race. 


CHARTER  OF  THE  AMERICAN  BIBLE  UNION. 

The  American  Bible  Union  loas  incorporated  on  the  17th  of  June,  1850, 
according  to  the  provisions  of  the  Act  for  the  Incorporation  of  Benevolent, 
Charitable,  Scientific,  and  Missionary  Societies,  passed  April  12,  1848. 


Secretary's  Office,  Albany,  June  17,  1850. 
Sir, — The  Articles  of  Association  of  the  American  Bible  Union,  were  re- 
ceived and  filed  in  this  office  this  day. 

Very  respectfully, 

'  A.  G.  JOHNSON, 
Edward  W.  Cone,  Esq.  Dep.  Sec.  of  Slate. 


Form  for  the  Constitution  of  an  Auxiliary. 

Article  1.  This  Union  shall  be  called  "  The  .  .  .  Bible  Union,"  auxiliary 
to  the  American  Bible  Union. 

Art.  2.  The  object  of  this  Union  shall  be  to  aid  in  procuring  and  circulating 
the.  most  faithful  versions  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures  in  all  languages  throughout 
the  world. 

Art.  3.  All  Annual  contributors  to  the  funds  of  this  Union,  shall  be  members  ; 
and  every  person  contributing  ten  dollars,  shall  be  a  member  for  life. 

Art.  4.  The  business  of  this  Union  shall  be  conducted  by  a  Board,  consisting 

of  a  President,  Vice  President,  Secretaiy,  Treasurer,  and  Managers,  five 

of  whom  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the  tr3,n8action  of  business. 

Art.  5.  The  Union  shall  meet  annually,  at  the  time  and  place  previously  ap- 
pointed, when  the  Board  for  the  ensuing  year  shall  be  elected,  and  such  other 
business  transacted  as  may  best  promote  the  objects  of  the  organization. 


Form  of  a  Bequest  to  the  American  Bible  Union. 

I  also  give  and  bequeath  to  the  American  Bible  Union  $  for  the  uses 

and  purposes  of  said  Union :  and  I  hereby  direct  my  executor  to  pay  the-  said 
sum  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  said  Union  within  months  after  my 

decease. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


All  pecuniaiyremittances  and  letters  relating  to  accounts,  should  be  addressed 
to  William  Colgate,  Treasurer  of  the  American  Bible  Union,  New  York. 

All  other  communications  should  be  addressed  to  William  H.  Wyckoff, 
Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Union,  New  York. 

All  periodicals  or  printed  documents  should  be  directed  to  the  American 
Bible  Union,  New  York. 


y4S21 

11-9-35 


32180  "^    FS 


